I Saw Him In Childhood

I saw him in childhood with eyes brightly beaming

Translator: P. C. Paulsen; Author: Vilhelm Birkedahl
Tune: VISIONS OF CHRIST
Published in 5 hymnals

Representative Text

1 I saw Him in childhood with eyes brightly beaming,
At home in the hills where the sun-light was streaming;
We played with the stars, on the clouds swiftly riding,
And saw not the cross which the woodlands were hiding.

2 I saw Him in youth when my soul was unfolding,
My spirit flew high when His glory beholding;
He beckoned my soul, and He filled me with gladness,
His glory lent brightness to life's gloom and sadness.

3 I saw Him in manhood, when Adam resembling,
My soul for His righteous judgment was trembling,
When dimmed were my eyes and my vision was darkened,
Since unto the tempter my spirit had harkened.

4 First then I could call Him my Master and Savior,
First then I could look on the cross as a favor,
First then I could give Him my down-broken spirit,
In life and in death to rely on His merit.

5 Since then I have told Him, to Him I will hurry
With weeping my face in His bosom to bury;
Since then I have asked Him with mercy to guide me
And in His pavilion securely to hide me.

6 To Him I will hasten, His name softly calling
When broken and weary my house shall be falling;
I'll greet Him with joy when my heart ceases beating,
And unto His kingdom my spirit is fleeting.

Source: Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #272

Translator: P. C. Paulsen

Paul Christian Paulsen was born on March 26, 1881, in Alstrup, Jutland, Denmark. He emigrated to America in 1904, was ordained in 1911, and served as a Lutheran pastor in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, and Alberta, Canada. He died on July 26, 1948. NN, Hymnary Go to person page >

Author: Vilhelm Birkedahl

(no biographical information available about Vilhelm Birkedahl.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I saw him in childhood with eyes brightly beaming
Title: I Saw Him In Childhood
Danish Title: Jeg saa ham som Barn med det solrige Øje
Author: Vilhelm Birkedahl
Translator: P. C. Paulsen
Meter: 12.12.12.12
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 5 of 5)

Christian Youth Hymnal #192

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Hymnal for Church and Home #272

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Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #272

The Concordia Hymnal #d152

The Concordia Hymnal. Rev. #d152

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