Pearly Gates
Words: Fredrick A. Blom, 1917; translated from Swedish by Nathaniel Carlson, circa 1935. Music: Clint Wells and Brian T. Murphy. ©2004 Red Mountain Music.

Love divine, so great and wondrous,
Deep and mighty, pure sublime!
Coming from Your heart, O Jesus,
Just the same through tests of time.

CHORUS:
You the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For You purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.

Like a dove when hunted, frightened,
As a wounded fawn was I;
Brokenhearted, yet You healed me,
You will heed the sinner’s cry.
(Repeat Chorus)

Love divine, so great and wondrous,
All my sins You then forgave!
I will sing Your praise forever,
For Your blood, Your power to save.
(Repeat Chorus)

In life’s eventide, at twilight,
At Your door I’ll knock and wait;
By Your precious love, O Jesus
I shall enter Heaven’s gate.
(Repeat Chorus)

Scripture References
John 10:9-11; 1 Cor 2:9; Rev 5:9; Ps 74; Ps 28; Ps 32:5; Ps 65:3; Col 2:13; Ps 118:19; Isa 51:11; Matt 7:13; Heb 10:19-25

Notes
Fredrick Arvid Blom was born on May 21, 1867, near Enkoping, Sweden. He came to the United States in the 1890’s and became an officer in the Salvation Army, in Chicago. Later Blom studied at North Park College and Seminary and then pastored Mission Covenant (now Evangelical Covenant) churches until 1915. Through various circumstances, Mr Blom fell into deep sin and eventually spent time in prison. He explained, “I drifted from God… and became embittered with myself, the world, and no the least with ministers who look on me with suspicion…” Sometime later, Blom was restored in his fellowship with God at a Salvation Army meeting and once again resumed a pastorate at a Swedish Congregational Church in Titusville, PA, until returning to Sweden in 1921. There he pastored several churches until his death on May 24, 1927, at Uddevalla, Sweden.

It is generally believed that Fredrick Blom wrote the text for these verses either in prison or shortly after his spiritual restoration.
Source