Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#526

526. O How Blest Are Ye Whose Toils Are Ended

1 O how blest are ye whose toils are ended,
Who through death have unto God ascended!
Ye have arisen
From the cares which keep us still in prison.

2 We are still as in a dungeon living,
Still oppressed with sorrow and misgiving;
Our undertakings
Are but toils and troubles and heartbreakings.

3 Ye meanwhile are in your chambers sleeping,
Quiet, and set free from all our weeping;
No cross or sadness
There can hinder your untroubled gladness.

4 Christ has wiped away your tears forever;
Ye have that for which we still endeavor;
To you are chanted
Songs that ne'er to mortal ears were granted.

5 Ah, who would, then, not depart with gladness
To inherit heav'n for earthly sadness?
Who here would languish
Longer in bewailing and in anguish?

6 Come, 0 Christ, and loose the chains that bind us;
Lead us forth and cast this world behind us.
With Thee, th'Anointed,
Finds the soul its joy and rest appointed.

Text Information

• First Line: O how blest are ye whose toils are ended
• Title: O How Blest Are Ye Whose Toils Are Ended
• German Title: O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen
• Author: S. Dach (1635)
• Translator: H. W. Longfellow, 1807-82 (alt.)
• Meter: 10 10 5 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Death: A Sleep; Trinity 24
• Notes: Hymn text, suggested tune: O WIE SELIG

Tune Information

(No tune information)