Friend Of Sinners Dies

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 richer blood.

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

The rising God forsakes the tomb;
The tomb in vain forbids his rise;
Cherubic legions guard him home,
And shout him welcome to the skies.

Break off your fears, ye saints, and tell
How high your great deliv’rer reigns;
Sing how he spoiled the hosts of hell,
And led 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 vict’ry, boasting grave?”