It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
Hebrews 9:27
Words: Philip Doddridge (1702–1751). Published posthumously in Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scriptures, by Job Orton (Shropshire, England: Joshua Eddowes & John Cotton, 1755), number 313: Death and judgment appointed to all.
Music: St. Anne William Croft, 1708 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Heav’n has confirmed the great decree,
That Adam’s race must die:
One general ruin sweeps them down,
And low in dust they lie.
Ye living men, the tomb survey,
Where you must quickly dwell;
Hark how the awful summons sounds
In every funeral knell!
Once you must die, and once for all;
The solemn purport weigh;
For know, that Heav’n and Hell are hung
On that important day.
Those eyes, so long in darkness veiled,
Must wake the Judge to see.
And every word, and every thought
Must pass His scrutiny.
O may I in the Judge behold
My Savior and my friend,
And far beyond the reach of death
With all His saints ascend.