103. Eternity, Thou Joyful Word

1. Eternity, thou joyful word,
That so much quickening doth afford,
Beginning without ending!
Eternity, joy without pain!
My heart for gladness doth not deign
To know the world’s offending,
Because what here might sadden me
Is sweetened by eternity.

2. The brightest glory of this earth, -
For time alone it has its birth,
Then totally decayeth.
Eternity – it hath no goal,
Its light, its gladness for the soul,
Unchangeable it stayeth!
The Word of God most truly saith:
Eternity shall know no death!

3. Then what of evils that may come,
What of distress – of martyrdom,
Of trials or affliction?
Though all of these were on us laid,
Yet when upon life’s balance weighed,
They prove but this conviction:
The glory of eternal life
By far outweighs all earthly strife!

4. When we the host of those behold
Who there must suffer pain untold
And everlasting anguish;
Though doomed to death they never die
But in their bitter torment cry,
As in the fire they languish, -
How great the glory then shall be
From this to be forever free!

5. With God above, the ransomed throng
Shall dwell unnumbered ages long
Forever young in spirit;
Angelic gladness theirs shall be
As they behold Christ’s majesty
And all His peace inherit;
For there they shall be satisfied,
With heavenly manna well supplied!

6. O how I’m longing there to be!
My fainting heart cries out for thee,
O life, with tender yearning!
When shall I reach Thee, Blesséd Goal,
To which each day my waiting soul
Is ever, ever turning?
The world and all I will despise
Thy joys at last to realize!