When death appears before my sight

1 When death appears before my sight
In all his dire array,
Unequal to the dreadful sight,
My courage dies away.

2 But see my glorious Leader nigh!
My Lord, my Savior lives:
Before him death's pale terrors fly,
And my faint heart revives.

3 he left his dazzling throne above,
He met the tyrant's dart,
And (O amazing power of love!)
Received it in his heart.

4 No more, O grim destroyer, boast
Thy universal sway;
To heaven-born souls thy sting is lost,
Thy night is turned to day.

5 Lord, I commit my soul to thee,
Accept the sacred trust,
Receive this nobler part of me,
And watch my sleeping dust:

6 'Till that illustrious morning come,
when all thy saints shall rise,
And, clothed in full immortal bloom,
Attend thee to the skies.

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799