Lord Jesus Christ, My Life in Death

 

87 87 887

Tune: Wenn mein Stündlein (TLH 594)

 

1 Lord Jesus Christ, my Life in death,

From all my sin my Savior,

Who breathed into my soul the faith

That makes me live forever,

Have mercy on Your feeble child,

And give to me, in mercy mild,

A clean and joyful conscience.

 

2 Around me is a world all vain,

Who beckons me to leave You,

And with her pleasures gives the pain

Of sins I know must grieve You,

And in my flesh is nothing good;

Without You near I know I would

Be caught in death forever.

 

3 And still the snake is speaking lies,

And never stops attacking,

And in an angel’s bright disguise

Shows me the life I’m lacking

Because I fail to trust in You,

Because my flesh desires to do

What ruins all rejoicing. 

 

4 And to my eyes are offered fears

Of sickness, pain, and sorrow,

And from my eyes flow forth the tears

That may not dry tomorrow;

I cannot see with mortal sight

An end to this sad, sinful plight

Unless My Head draws near me.

 

5 I am a branch in You, the vine -

Your blood is nectar flowing

To sate my soul with richest wine,

Forgiveness me bestowing,

So that the sin I see around

Cannot by You in Me be found,

And Satan cannot harm me.

 

6 No sin or death can separate

The Head from us, His members,

So neither could He contemplate

To smother faith’s weak embers;

No, I am His, He won’t remove

Me or my loved ones from His love,

Who trust in Him when dying. 

 

7 So speak, dear Lord, and breathe new life

Where hope and faith are breaking;

Our Bridegroom, claim us as Your wife,

Whom You are not forsaking,

But holding close with words of love,

That set our hearts on things above,

Where is pure peace and mercy. 

            5/11/17