He dies! The Friend of sinners dies!
Lo! Salem’s daughters weep around;
A solemn darkness veils the skies;
A sudden trembling shakes the ground.

Come, saints, and drop a tear or two
For Him who groaned beneath your load:
He shed a thousand drops for you,
A thousand drops of richest blood.

Here’s love and grief beyond degree:
The Lord of glory dies for man!
But lo! What sudden joys we see!
Jesus, the dead, revives again!

The rising God forsakes the tomb;
Up to His Father’s courts He flies;
Cherubic legions guard Him home,
And shout Him welcome to the skies!

Break off your tears, ye saints, and tell
How high your great Deliverer reigns:
Sing how He spoiled the hosts of hell,
And let the monster death in chains!

Say, “Live forever, wondrous King!
Born to redeem, and strong to save!”
Then ask the monster, “Where’s thy sting?”
And, “Where’s thy victory, boasting grave?”

Isaac Watts

Copied from my grandmother’s hymnal, Hymn Book, Methodist Episcopal Church, South: Nashville, TN, 1901, Hymn #88.

Note: The hymns in this hymnal are not titled. So when I do not know the hymn, I make up a title or simply use the first line.

Photo taken in Milton, FL, 2018

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