For thee, Beloved, desert days are ended,
The deathless part delivered has ascended
The keys of death and hades in His keeping,
And guards the bones of His blood-ransomed sleeping.
Thou knowest now how infinitely better
From bonds that bind the spirit, and that fetter
In desert waste and drear,
To rise to Him who in His love enfolds us,
And to His faithful heart so closely holds us.
Gone in a moment! with no restless tossing,
Weakness or wasting pain,
Nor dread distemper tediously crossing
The fevered heart and brain;
But like a watchman weary, overtaken
By slumber, out of which thou shalt awaken.
When Jesus lift His voice at His appearing,
In that long-looked-for day,
And with its music sweet, enchanting, cheering,
That voice that of thy soul once took possession
In quickening might when dead in thy transgression.
Farewell, Beloved! Yes, but not forever,
In brighter circumstances, where can never
Come parting, grief, or pain.
The Bright and Morning Star, the Resurrection,
Shall bring reunion in divine perfection.