When Rising from The Bed of Death

By Joseph Addison

When rising from the bed of death,

O’erwhelmed with guilt and fear,

I see my Maker face to face,

O how shall I appear?

If yet, while pardon may be found,

And mercy may be sought,

My heart with inward horror shrinks,

And trembles at the thought;

When Thou, O Lord, shalt stand disclosed

In majesty severe,

And sit in judgment on my soul,

O how shall I appear?

But Thou hast told the troubled mind

Who does her sins lament,

The timely tribute of her tears

Shall endless woe prevent.

Then see the sorrow of my heart,

Ere yet it be too late;

And hear my Savior’s dying groans,

To give those sorrows weight.

For never shall my soul despair

Her pardon to procure,

Who knows Thine only Son has died

To make her pardon sure.