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"How the Sacred Sign Reminds Me" (Giles and Battles)

We recently had a baptism at our church. I gave the one being baptized several baptism hymns to consider for us to use during the worship service. He chose this hymn, but because it was so antiquated in language, I modernized and changed a lot of it. So it's originally a text by John Eustace Giles but I changed much of it. 

I was made aware of this hymn by David Ward's website ThousandTongues (now called Hymnicity), but I want back to the original wording and updated it myself without consulting his. So I think it can rightly be called a new hymn with an old heritage. 

Words: John Eustace Giles (1805–1875) and © Dustin R. Battles (1986– ) 

Suggested Music: Henry Smart, 1867 (REGENT SQUARE)


How this sacred sign reminds me

Savior, of your love to me.

Buried with you, baptism binds me

to you for eternity;

Resurrection, resurrection

guarantees new life for me!


As I view the pool before me

should I shun your selfless love?

Though unworthy of your mercy, 

should I run from mercy’s wave?

No, I’ll enter! No, I’ll enter,

picturing your power to save.


Should my baptism break relations,

should I suffer shame or loss, 

this must be my contemplation: 

I have been where Jesus was!

This revives me, this revives me

when I waver in my woes.


Soon we’ll be immersed with glory,

taunting death, “Where is your sting?”

In this great redemption story,

all will bow before the King.

Saints once sinners, saints once sinners

evermore his praise will sing!

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