Isaac Watts, 1709. 543 L. M. 6 l O Lord, my God, I cry to Thee, In my distress Thou helpest me. My soul and body I commend Into Thy hands; Thine angel send To guide me home and cheer my heart Since Thou dost call me to depart. 2. O Jesus Christ, Thou Lamb of God, Once slain to take away our load, Now let Thy cross, Thine agony, Avail to save and solace me; Thy death to open heaven and there Bid me the joy of angels share. 3. O Holy Spirit, at the end, Sweet Comforter, be Thou my Friend, When death and hell assail me sore, Leave me, O leave me nevermore, But bear me safely through the strife, As Thou hast promised, into life. N. Selnecker, † 1592; C. Winkworth, tr., a. 544 8s 6 l Who knows how near my end may be? Time speeds away, and death comes on; How swiftly, ah, how suddenly, May death be here and life be gone! My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 2. The world that smiled when morn was come May change for me ere close of eve; So long as earth is still my home, In peril of my death I live. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 3. Teach me to ponder oft my end, And ere the hour of death appears, To cast my soul on Christ, her Friend, Nor spare repentant cries and tears. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 4. And let me now so order all That ever ready I may be To say with joy, Whate’er befall, Lord, do Thou as Thou wilt with me. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 5. Let heaven to me be ever sweet, And this world bitter let me find, That I, mid all its toil and heat, May keep eternity in mind. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 6. O Father, cover all my sins With Jesus’ merits, who alone The pardon that I covet wins And makes His long-sought rest my own. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 7. His sorrows and His cross I know Make deathbeds soft and light the grave; They comfort in the hour of woe, They give me all I fain would have. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day. 8. From Him can naught my soul divide, Nor life nor death can part us now; I thrust my hand into His side And say, My Lord and God art Thou! My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day.