We are Passing Away

“We Are Passing Away” is a reflective hymn written by Reginald Heber, the early 19th-century Anglican bishop best remembered for hymns such as “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” In this lesser-known text, Heber turns his attention to the brevity of life and the certainty of mortality. Drawing on passages like Psalm 90:9–10, which declares that our years “are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told,” and 1 Peter 1:24, which compares man’s days to grass that withers, Heber reminds believers of the fleeting nature of human existence.

The hymn contrasts the transience of earthly life with the permanence of God’s eternal promises. Its tone is sober and contemplative, yet it is not intended to produce despair. Rather, it encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that this world is not our final home. Every line points the soul heavenward, reminding worshippers that while life is uncertain and death is sure, Christ is the unfailing hope of all who trust in Him.

This hymn would have been particularly meaningful in Heber’s time, when early death was common and the awareness of human frailty was ever-present. Yet its message transcends generations, speaking to the universal reality that “the fashion of this world passeth away” (1 Corinthians 7:31). By setting earthly life in its proper place—temporary and fragile—Heber calls the Christian to fix his heart upon what is eternal: the presence of Christ and the hope of everlasting life.

Although “We Are Passing Away” has not gained the same prominence as Heber’s more famous hymns, it reflects his pastoral heart and poetic gift, blending biblical truth with lyrical beauty. It remains a thoughtful meditation for those seeking to remember the shortness of life and the certainty of God’s eternal kingdom.

NB: MIDI file is broken