The Hymn: Life is Ernest

A lessor known hymn, reminding us of the brevity of life and the certainty of eternity, and of the wisdom of the biblical command, Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (Amos 4:12). Usually sung to the tune ‘Innocents’.

1. Time is earnest, passing by;
Death is earnest, drawing nigh;
Sinner, wilt thou trifling be?
Time and death appeal to thee.

2. Life is earnest; when ‘tis o’er,
Thou returnest nevermore;
Soon to meet eternity,
Wilt thou never serious be?

3. God is earnest; kneel and pray
Ere thy season pass away;
Ere be set His judgment-throne;
Vengeance ready, mercy gone.

4. Oh, be earnest! Death is near;
Thou wilt perish ling’ring here:
Sleep no longer, rise and flee;
Lo, thy Saviour waits for thee.

S Dyer
(Published in Sacred Songs and Solos)