Hymn #339
Text: James George Deck (1802-1884)
Music: Fredecick D. Maker (1844-1927)
Tune name: ST. CHRISTOPHER
THE TEXT
Born in the county of Suffolk in 1802 and educated for the army, Deck became an officer in the Indian service. After retiring from the Army for health reasons, Deck returned to England and became involved with the Plymouth Brethren movement. He wrote dozens of hymns, most of which reflect on the Second Coming, a central concern for the Brethren faithful. Hymnologist John Julian judges: “His compositions are marked by directness of aim, simplicity of language, and great earnestness. The rhythm is good, and an expressive tenderness pervades many of them.”
1. O Lamb of God, still keep me
near to thy wounded side!
’tis only there in safety
and peace I can abide.
What foes and snares surround me!
What lusts and fears within!
The grace that sought and found me
alone can keep me clean.
2. ’Tis only in thee hiding,
I feel my life secure;
in thee alone abiding,
the conflict can endure:
thine arm the victory gaineth
o’er every hurtful foe;
thy love my heart sustaineth
in all its care and woe.
3. Soon shall my eyes behold thee,
with rapture, face to face;
one half hath not been told me
of all thy power and grace;
thy beauty, Lord, and glory,
the wonders of thy love,
shall be the endless story
of all thy saints above.
THE TUNE
Maker spent his entire life in his native Bristol. A chorister and organist, and sometime conductor of the Bristol Free Choirs Association, he was for 20 years a visiting professor of music at Clifton College, An independent public boarding school. Of his 30 or so hymn tunes, two are in our Hymnal.
Below is Andrew Remillard’s rendition of this hymn on piano.