When Time Seems Short and Death Is Near

When time seems short, and death is near,
And I am pressed by doubt and fear,
And sins, an overflowing tide,
Assail my peace on every side,
This thought my refuge still shall be,
I know my Savior died for me.

His name is Jesus, and He died—
For guilty sinners crucified;
Content to die, that He might win
Their ransom from the death of sin.
No sinner worse than I can be,
Therefore I know He died for me.

If grace were bought, I could not buy;
If grace were coined, no wealth have I;
By grace alone I draw my breath,
Held up from everlasting death.
Yet since I know His grace is free,
I know the Savior died for me.

I read God’s holy Word, and find
Great truths which far transcend my mind
And little do I know beside
Of thought so high and deep and wide.
This is my best theology—
I know the Savior died for me.

My faith is weak, but ’tis Thy gift;
Thou canst my helpless soul uplift,
And say, “Thy bonds of death are riv’n,
Thy sins by Me are all forgiv’n,
And thou shalt live, from guilt set free;
For I, thy Savior, died for thee.”

Author: Albert Midlane

Year: 1865

Albert Midlane (1825–1909) is the recognized author of this hymn, which first appeared in his collection 'The Old, Old Story and Other Verses' (or related publications around 1865). No significant alternate attributions exist.