Hymn
Death of the Righteous
How blest the righteous when he dies!
When sinks a weary soul to rest!
How mildly beam the closing eyes!
How gently heaves th’expiring breast!
A holy quiet reigns around,
A calm which life nor death destroys;
And naught disturbs that peace profound
Which his unfettered soul enjoys.
Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears,
Where lights and shades alternate dwell;
How bright th'unchanging morn appears!
Farewell, inconstant world, farewell!
Life’s labor done, as sinks the clay,
Light from its load the spirit flies,
While heaven and earth combine to say,
"How blest the righteous when he dies!"
Amen.
Death of the Righteous — Text from The Hymnal and Order of Service, 1926. Public domain. https://yeshuanow.com/hymns/death-of-the-righteous
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Questions about this hymn
Who wrote Death of the Righteous?
The words of Death of the Righteous were written by Mrs. Barbauld; the version here was published in 1926. The library holds 2 more hymns by Mrs. Barbauld, including Blest is the man, whose softening heart and Gratitude.
Is Death of the Righteous public domain?
Yes. The words here are taken from The Hymnal and Order of Service, published in 1926. Works published before 1931 are out of copyright in the United States, so you can print, project, perform and record this hymn freely. How we source and check every hymn.
What is the metre of Death of the Righteous?
Death of the Righteous is in Long Metre (8.8.8.8). Hymns in the same metre can usually be sung to the same tunes — for example, Pray without Ceasing, We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight and Giver of Rest.