Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#374

374. Hark! a voice saith, All are mortal

1 HARK! a voice saith, All are mortal.
Yea, all flesh must fade as grass,
Only through death's gloomy portal
To a better land we pass;
This frail body here must perish,
Ere the heavenly joys it cherish,
Ere it gain the free reward
For the ransomed of the Lord.

2 Therefore, when my God doth choose it,
Willingly I'll yield my life,
Nor will grieve that I should lose it,
For with sorrows it was rife;
And in my Redeemer's merit
Peace hath found my troubled spirit,
And in death my comfort is
Jesus' death--sweet comfort this!

3 For my sake He went before me,
And His death is now my gain;
Peace and hope He conquered for me;
So without regret or pain,
Yea, with joy I'll quit earth's sadness
For the beauteous heaven of gladness,
Where I shall eternally
See the holy Trinity.

4 There is joy beyond our telling,
Where so many saints have gone;
Thousands, thousands there are dwelling,
Worshipping before the throne,
There the Seraphim are shining,
Evermore in chorus joining:
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord!
Triune God, for aye adored!"

5 Worthies there, of sacred story,
Prophets, Patriarchs, are met;
There Apostles too in glory
Fill twelve thrones by Jesus set;
All the saints that have ascended
Age on age, through time extended,
There in blissful concert, sing
Hallelujahs to their King.

6 O Jerusalem, how glorious
Dost thou shine, thou city fair!
Lo! I hear the tones victorious
Ever sweetly sounding there!
O the bliss that there surprises!
Lo! the sun of morn now rises,
And the breaking day I see
That shall never end for me!

7 Yea, I see what here was told me,
See that wondrous glory shine;
Feel the spotless robes enfold me,
Know a golden crown is mine,
Thus before the throne so glorious
Now I stand, a soul victorious,
Gazing on that joy for aye
That shall never pass away.

Text Information

• First Line: Hark! a voice saith, All are mortal
• Meter: 8,7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1893
• Topic: Death and Burial
• Notes: Comp.; German: Alle Menschen muessen sterben - J. G. Albinus, 1652

Tune Information

(No tune information)