Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#XXXI

XXXI. The Death and Burial of a Saint

1 Why should we mourn departing friends?
Or shake at death’s alarms?
’Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to his arms.

2 Are we not tending upward too
As fast as time can move?
Nor would we wish the hours more slow
To keep us from our love.

3 Why should we tremble to convey
Their bodies to the tomb?
There the dear flesh of Jesus lay,
And left a long perfume.

4 The graves of all his saints he blest,
And softened every bed:
Where should the dying members rest,
But with the dying head?

5 Thence he arose, ascending high,
And shew'd our feet the way:
Up to the Lord our souls shall fly,
And hail the rising day.

6 Then let the last loud trumpet sound,
And bid our kindred rise;
Awake, ye nations, from the ground,
Ye saints, ascend the skies.

Text Information

• First Line: Why should we mourn departing friends
• Title: The Death and Burial of a Saint
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1787

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