Scripture Verse

Absent from the flesh, and…present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

Introduction

portrait
Theodore E. Perkins (1831–1912)

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs, Book 1, 1707, num­ber 23, part 1. Ab­sent from the bo­dy, and pre­sent with the Lord.

Music: Re­pent­ance Theo­dore E. Per­kins, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Lyrics

Absent from flesh! O bliss­ful thought!
What un­known joys this mo­ment brings!
Freed from the mis­chiefs sin has brought,
From pains, and fears, and all their springs.

Absent from flesh! il­lus­tri­ous day!
Surprising scene! tri­um­phant stroke
That rends the pri­son of my clay;
And I can feel my fet­ters broke.

Absent from flesh! then rise, my soul,
Where feet nor wings could ne­ver climb,
Beyond the heav’ns, where plan­ets roll,
Measuring the cares and joys of time.

I go where God and glo­ry shine,
His pre­sence makes eter­nal day:
My all that’s mor­tal I re­sign,
For an­gels wait and point my way.