Earthly Worries

My Friends are fled from mortal eye,
   God sent the just decree;
Let us submit to him on high,
   Who made the Earth and Sea.

I hear again that death has paid,
   A second visit where,
Lately dwelt a virtuous maid,
   And parent’s tender care.

Dear Madam, let your troubled, breast,
   This Earthly comfort find;
God alone can lull to rest
   The widow’s downcast mind.

Late did your worthy partner say,
   From death no one can flee;
Ere many months are pass’d away,
   Our Nancy rests by me.

Clos’d in that spot from public view,
   I’ve pointed out the grave;
Let pious thoughts stern grief subdue,
   Jesus repentants save.

 Adieu! he cried to all around,
   That stood beside his bed;
Sweet mercies to us will abound,
   If we by grace are led.

We know that our redeemer live,
   Beside the God of all;
Who will our errors all forgive,
   If we sincerely call.

Death came mantling on his brow,
   With firmness still he prayed;
O God, on sinners mercy show,
   Ere in the grave we’re laid.

His wife and children now deplore
   Their loss with many a sigh,
And so does many labouring poor,
   With many a weeping eye.

Truly he did assistance lend,
   To those that stood in need,
The orphan in him found a friend,
   A constant one indeed.

"Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake."  Psalm 31: 9-16  (KJV)