Funeral Hymns explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life

  The hymns repeatedly emphasize the believer's hope of heaven, where they will rest with Christ and be free from sin and sorrow.

• Suffering and Affliction

  The hymns acknowledge the trials and weariness of life, but they point to the rest and relief that await in heaven.

• Divine Providence and Guidance

  The hymns affirm that God continues to provide for His people even after the loss of leaders, and that He guides believers through life and death.

Characters to notice

• Jesus Christ

  Central figure in the hymns, as the Savior who prepares a mansion for believers, the Judge at the final day, and the source of grace and salvation.

• Satan

  Mentioned as the adversary who harasses the believer and as the one who will seize the condemned sinner at judgment.

• Elisha

  Referenced in the hymn 'On the Death of a Minister' as the successor to Elijah, symbolizing the continuation of God's work after a leader's death.

• Elijah

  Mentioned in the same hymn as the prophet taken up to heaven, leaving Elisha to carry on.

• Paul

  Referenced in 'On the Death of a Minister' as an example of a minister who has run his course, with the assurance that God's resources are not exhausted.

• John

  Mentioned in 'The Great Tribunal' as the visionary who saw the day of judgment, referencing the book of Revelation.

Key passages

• “One gentle sigh their fetters breaks; We scarce can say, 'They're gone!' Before the willing spirit takes Her mansion near the throne.”

  With a single soft breath, the soul is freed from the body's chains, and almost before we can say they are gone, it has already arrived at its heavenly home near God's throne.

  This paraphrase captures the suddenness and ease of the believer's transition from death to glory.

• “But he forgot the Lord who lifts The beggar to the throne; Nor knew that all Elijah's gifts Will soon be made his own.”

  Elisha forgot that God, who raises the poor from the dust, would also provide for him; he did not realize that Elijah's spiritual gifts would soon be transferred to him.

  This paraphrase highlights the lesson that God's provision continues even after the loss of a spiritual leader.

• “Only this frail and fleeting breath Preserves me from the jaws of death; Soon as it fails at once I'm gone, And plunged into a world unknown.”

  My life hangs by the thin thread of breath; the moment it stops, I will immediately be cast into an unseen world.

  This paraphrase underscores the fragility of life and the suddenness of death.

• “The Saviour, whom I then shall see With new admiring eyes, Already has prepared for me A mansion in the skies.”

  The Savior, whom I will then behold with wonder, has already prepared a heavenly home for me.

  This paraphrase expresses the assurance of a prepared place in heaven.

• “In conflict with this threefold troop, How weary, Lord, am I! Did not thy promise bear me up My soul must faint and die.”

  I am exhausted from fighting against the world, the flesh, and the devil; if it were not for Your promise, I would lose heart and perish.

  This paraphrase captures the believer's weariness in spiritual warfare and reliance on God's promise.

• “Day of judgment, day of wonders! Hark! the trumpet's awful sound, Louder than a thousand thunders, Shakes the vast creation round!”

  The day of judgment will be a day of awe and amazement; the trumpet will sound with a blast louder than a thousand thunders, shaking the entire creation.

  This paraphrase conveys the dramatic and terrifying nature of the final judgment.