Christian Songs, Song LXXIII

When pale distress o'erspreads the face, And dismal fears of death take place, What then shall soothe the troubled breast, And give th' awaken'd conscience rest? When life is to a period brought, And all its joys not worth a thought, What is it then can calm the soul? And what our doubts and fears controul?

2 Men set our worth before our eyes, And boast the comforts thence which rise; A life well spent, they say gives joy, Which death nor hell can ne'er destroy. But where's this well spent life they boast? God's law once seen, man's worth is lost; God's awful justice loud doth sound, And dash our boasting to the ground!

3 Not our sincerity of heart, Nor works, nor worth, can peace impart: At death all these dissolve in air, Christ's worth alone's sufficient there. Christ's blood, and only his can save, And make us conqu'rors o'er the grave: It death unstings, and shows us how God can be just and gracious too!

4 Hence has the weak and tim'rous soul Been seen to triumph at the goal: And neither doubt nor terror show, But joy'd to feel the pulse beat slow. How have they joy'd in Jesus' name His worth divine their darling theme! Thro' that alone expect the crown, Then smile at death, and mock his frown!

5 Thus when they pass thro' death's dark vale. In vain do doubts and fears assail! The Lord is with his people there, His rod and staff their comfort are. O when to us these shades appear, May God our comforter be near, Make strong our faith as life decays, And tune our dying lips to praise!