The Sands of Time Are Sinking

Author – Anne Ross Cousin, 1824–1906
Composer – Chretien D’Urhan, 1790–1845
Tune Name – “Rutherford”
Meter – 76.76.76.75
Scripture Reference – Psalm 17:15
“As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” – Psalm 17:15

Anne Ross Cousin, a gifted Scottish poet and hymn writer of the nineteenth century, is best remembered for her majestic and devotional hymn, “The Sands of Time Are Sinking.” First published in 1857 in the Christian Treasury, the original version of the hymn contained nineteen stanzas. However, only four are commonly found in modern hymnals. While Mrs. Cousin authored many hymns and poems of spiritual depth, this particular hymn remains her most enduring and beloved work. Its creation was inspired by the writings and life of Samuel Rutherford, a seventeenth-century Scottish Covenanter preacher and theologian whose passion for Christ and steadfastness under persecution left a lasting mark on Reformed spirituality.

Samuel Rutherford was born around 1600 in the village of Nisbet, Scotland. After earning a Master’s Degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1621, he became a professor of humanities there. Later, he was appointed pastor of the parish church in Anwoth, Galloway, where he ministered for nine years with great zeal and devotion. His preaching was so fervent that one contemporary remarked, “Many times I thought he would have flown out of the pulpit when he came to speak of Jesus Christ.” However, Rutherford's firm stance against the State Church’s interference in spiritual matters led to his banishment to Aberdeen, where he was prohibited from preaching. During this exile, he wrote over 220 letters to his congregation and other believers. These letters—often referred to as “prison epistles”—are considered some of the most moving and eloquent devotional writings in church history, filled with profound insights and deeply felt expressions of love for Christ.

Rutherford’s exile ended with the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant in 1638, which acknowledged the freedom of the Presbyterian Church. He returned to public ministry and continued as a major influence in the nonconformist movement. But with the death of Oliver Cromwell and the restoration of Charles II, persecution resumed. Rutherford was stripped of his titles and summoned to appear before Parliament on charges of high treason—an accusation that could have led to execution. Already on his deathbed, Rutherford calmly remarked, “I behoove to answer my first summons, and ere your day for me arrive, I will be where few kings and great folks come.” He died on March 30, 1661. His final words, “Glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s Land,” were later adopted by Anne Cousin as the refrain of her hymn, and became a lasting expression of hope in the promise of heaven.

The hymn’s text, rich with biblical imagery and theological truth, meditates on the believer’s anticipation of heaven and the joy of being in the presence of Christ. It is not simply a funeral hymn, as it is sometimes used, but a triumphant declaration of spiritual victory and longing for the eternal homeland. The setting of the text to music by Chretien D’Urhan, a French violinist and composer of the early 1800s, further enhances its depth and solemnity. The tune, “Rutherford,” named after the minister who inspired the lyrics, features a stately tempo and a melodic rise in the final line that perfectly complements the hymn’s refrain: “And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.”

“The Sands of Time Are Sinking” invites the believer into a reflective and devotional experience. It is a hymn that must be read and pondered slowly in order to fully absorb its meaning. Each line carries weight, drawing attention to the surpassing beauty of Christ, the brevity of earthly suffering, and the glorious anticipation of eternal communion with God. Through this hymn, Anne Ross Cousin not only honored the memory of Samuel Rutherford but also gave the Church a timeless expression of joyful hope and faithful perseverance.