and Soren Jonassen, dean of Roskilde, was
appointed to take over the task. His work, which was completed in 1693,
did not contain a single one of Kingo's hymns! It too was promptly
disapproved. A commission was then appointed by the king to supervise the
work, and again Kingo came into favor. The new hymn-book, which was
officially approved in 1699, was based largely on Kingo's work, and
contained 85 of his original hymns.

Although Kingo lived to see his life-work crowned with success, he never
recovered from the indignity and humiliation he had suffered. His death
occurred on October 14, 1703. The day before his death, he exclaimed:
"Tomorrow, Lord, we shall hear glorious music."

Kingo has been called "the poet of Easter-tide." A biographer declares
that Kingo was "in love with the sun," and that he regarded light as the
"true element." This is reflected in his morning hymns, which are among
the finest songs of praise ever written. It may also be seen in his
Easter hymns, one of which begins with the words, "Like the golden sun
ascending." However, Kingo could also dwell on the theme of Christ's
passion with gripping pathos:

Such a night was ne'er before,
Even heaven has shut its door;
Jesus, Thou our Sun and Light,
Now must bear the shame of night.

And in this:

See how, in that hour of darkness,
Battling with the evil power,
Agonies untold assail Him,
On His soul the arrows shower;
And the gardens flowers are wet
With the drops of bloody sweat
From His anguished frame distilling--
Our redemption thus fulfilling.

When the commission appointed by the Danish king was revising his
hymn-book, Kingo pleaded that his Lenten hymns might be retained. Among
the most soul-stirring of these in the famous hymn, "Over Kedron Jesus
treadeth." In its original form it contained fourteen stanzas. Although
objective in character, Kingo's hymns never fail to make a strong
personal appeal. Witness, for example, the following from his Good Friday
hymn:

On my heart imprint Thine image,
Blessed Jesus, King of grace,
That life's riches, cares, and pleasures
Never may Thyself efface;
This the superscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope's foundation,
And my glory and salvation.

Other hymns of Kingo that have been translated into English include
"Praise to Thee and adoration," "Dearest Jesus, draw Thou near me," "