Scripture Verse

Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:31–32

Introduction

portrait
Samson Occom
1723–1792

Words: Sam­son Oc­com (1723–1792).

Music: Ex­pos­tu­la­tion Jo­si­ah Hop­kins, in The Chris­tian Lyre, with­out at­tri­bu­tion, by Jo­shua Lea­vitt (New York: 1830) (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Josiah Hopkins
1786–1862

Lyrics

O turn ye, O turn ye, for why will ye die,
When God, in great mercy, is coming so nigh?
Now Jesus invites you, the Spirit says Come!
And angels are waiting to welcome you home.

How vain the delusion, that while you delay
Your hearts may grow better, your chains melt away!
Come guilty, come wretched, come just as you are;
All helpless and dying, to Jesus repair.

The contrite in heart he will freely receive,
O why will you not the glad message believe?
If sin be your burden, why will you not come?
’Tis you He makes welcome, He bids you come home.