The Christian Hymnary. Bks. 1-4 ‎#567

567. At Every Motion of Our Breath

1 At ev'ry motion of our breath,
Life trembles on the brink of death;
A taper's flame that upward turns,
While downward to the dust it burns.

2 Moment by moment years are past,
And one ere long will be our last,
There is a point no eyes can see,
Yet on it hangs eternity.

3 This is that moment—who shall tell
Whether it leads to heav'n or hell?
This is that moment—as we choose,
Th'immortal soul we save or lose.

4 Time past and time to come are not—
Time present is our only lot;
O God! henceforth our hearts incline
To seek no other love than thine.

Text Information

• First Line: At ev'ry motion of our breath
• Title: At Every Motion of Our Breath
• Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854) (1825)
• Meter: L.M. 8.8.8.8.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  Revelation 10:6
• Topic: Book One: Hymns, Songs, Chorales; Warning Message: Time and Eternity
• Notes: And sware … that there should be time no longer. Rev. 10:6.

Tune Information

• Name: WINDHAM
• Composer: Daniel Read (1757-1836) (1785)
• Meter: L.M. 8.8.8.8.
• Key: d minor
• Notes: M.M. 56