The Sands of Time are Sinking

One band we really enjoy listening to is Indelible Grace.  Gabby and I were given a CD of theirs while in college those many years ago, and it's still one of our favorites.  The only albums of theirs that we have are still the first two; well worn, and burned, and re-burned several times to various hard drives.  The songs on these albums are modern arrangements of some great old hymns from Church history that may or may not be well known.  The band is from Nashville, and they play with a bit of acoustic, folksy, and sometimes bluegrass sound.

There's one particular song that I wanted to share with everyone today called "The Sands of Time are Sinking", also known as "Immanuel's Land", with words originally written by Anne Cousin in 1854.  She credits the words to be inspired by the writings of Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661).  Some sources specifically note "Letters" as the source of inspiration.

The hymn describes the glorious joy of heaven, or Immanuel's Land.  This is one of those songs that are best sung with your eyes closed tight and your voice raised high, but only once you know the words of course!  Thoughts of being with the Lord have become more frequent for our family recently with the passing of Gabby's beloved step-dad.  Knowing how much he loved the Lord makes songs like this all the more sweet to our souls.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

This video (audio only) is from their latest live album:

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

1. The sands of time are sinking,
The dawn of heaven breaks;
The summer morn I’ve sighed for -
The fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark had been the midnight
But dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel’s land.

2. The king there in His beauty,
Without a veil is seen:
It were a well-spent journey,
Though seven deaths lay between:
The Lamb with His fair army,
Doth on Mount Zion stand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel’s land

3. O Christ, He is the fountain,
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I’ve tasted
More deep I’ll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel’s land.

4. The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory
But on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth
But on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Emmanuel’s land.

5. O I am my Beloved’s
And my Beloved is mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner
Into His house of wine
I stand upon His merit -
I know no other stand,
Not e’en where glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel’s land.

©2001 Phillip Palmertree Music.