Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#429

429. Hark! a voice saith, all are mortal

1 Hark! a voice saith, all are mortal,
Yea, all flesh must fade as grass,
Only through a death-rent portal
To a better world ye pass;
Dust to dust must sink inglorious,
Ere this body rise victorious
To the realms of life and light,
Won for saints thro' Jesus' might.

2 Therefore, when my Father chooses,
Willingly my life I'll yield;
He but gains, nay never loses,
Who with Jesus quits the field.
For in my Redeemer's merit
Peace hath found my troubled spirit,
And in death my comfort is
Jesus' death--sweet comfort this!

3 Jesus died for me, O hear it!
And His death is all my gain;
Shall I then, yet wav'ring, fear it,
Since with Christ I rise again?
Joyfully I'll quit earth's sadness
For the beauteous heaven of gladness;
Where I shall forevermore
See the Triune, and adore!

4 There is life, life never ending,
Where so many saints are gone,
Where in light the thousands blending
Worship God before the throne.
Seraphim there flit before us,
Swelling heaven with august chorus:
"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord!
God Triune, 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 golden
Dost thou shine, thou city blest!
Sweetly thy near tones embolden
My winged soul to seek my rest.
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 I stand and look before me
To the throne that rises o'er me,
Gazing on that joy for aye,
That shall never pass away!

Text Information

• First Line: Hark! a voice saith, all are mortal
• Author: Johann Georg Albinus (1652)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Meter: No. 78
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: Christian Life and Hope: The Consummation: Contemplation of Death
• Notes: From the German text: Alle Menschen muessen sterben

Tune Information

• Name: ROSENMÜLLER (Alle Menschen müssen sterben)
• Key: G Major
• Source: Darmstadt Cantional, 1687