Why do We Mourn Departing Friends
Why do we mourn departing friends
Why do We Mourn Departing Friends is a hymn text by Nikolai Leonard Zinzendorf (1737) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by John Christian Jacobi. Found in lw 370, tlh 593.
The hymn expresses Lutheran confidence in Christ's resurrection as the foundation for Christian hope beyond death, rejecting despair while acknowledging the reality of human grief. It reflects the Moravian emphasis on joyful assurance in salvation through Christ's victory over death.
History & Background
Zinzendorf composed this hymn reflecting Moravian consolation theology regarding death and resurrection. It was translated into English by John Christian Jacobi in the mid-18th century and appeared in Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal (1941).
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 370
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 593
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Nikolai Zinzendorf in 1737, this Moravian hymn channels their distinctive theology: joyful assurance in salvation, the communion of saints, and unflinching confidence in Christ's risen power over death itself.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's acknowledgment of death's sting into a Gospel proclamation of Christ's victory, teaching us that Christian grief is redeemed—not erased—by resurrection hope.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Overview
Isaac Watts' funeral hymn. Death is only Jesus' voice calling the departed to his arms (st. 1). We are moving upward too and would not slow the hours that bring us to our Love (st. 2). Why tremble at the tomb, when Jesus' own flesh lay there and scattered the gloom (st. 3)? He blessed the saints' graves; where should the dying members rest but with their dying Head (st. 4)? He rose and showed the way (st. 5). Let the last trumpet sound: 'Ye saints, ascend the skies!' (st. 6).
Central theme: Christian burial without dread, because Christ's own burial and resurrection have hallowed the grave for his members
Structure
Six common-meter quatrains. Death as Christ's call (1); our own journey (2); the tomb Christ lay in (3); Head and members (4); his rising, our way (5); the last trumpet (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law implied: 'death's alarms'; the tomb (1, 3). Gospel: 'the voice that Jesus sends'; 'There the dear flesh of Jesus lay / And scattered all the gloom'; 'Thence He arose' (1, 3, 5).
Confessional Connections
Mark 5:39 (TLH's text): 'The child is not dead but sleeping.' St. 1 echoes 1 Thess 4:13: we grieve, but not as those without hope. St. 3-4 are a classic statement of Christ's burial sanctifying the grave: 'There the dear flesh of Jesus lay… The graves of all the saints He blessed.' 'Where should the dying members rest / But with their dying Head?' rests on the Church as Christ's body (1 Cor 12:27) and on Baptism into his death and burial (Rom 6:4-5; SC Baptism IV). St. 5-6: Christ the firstfruits (1 Cor 15:20-23) and the bodily resurrection at the last trumpet (AC XVII; Apostles' Creed).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Funerals; committal; All Saints; Easter.
Historical Notes
Watts (1674-1748) published it in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II (1707).
About the Tune
DOMINE, CLAMAVI (Justin H. Knecht, 1797).
Scripture References
Mark 5:39 1 Thess 4:13-18 John 14:3 Phil 1:23 Rom 13:11 Matt 27:59-60 Isa 57:2 Col 1:18 1 Cor 12:27 Rom 6:4-5 1 Cor 15:20-23 John 14:6 1 Cor 15:52 Isa 26:19
Stanza by Stanza
Why do we mourn friends who are leaving us, or tremble at death's alarms? It is only the voice that Jesus sends to call them into his arms.
'That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope' (1 Thess 4:13). 'I will come again and will take you to myself' (John 14:3).
- Scripture
- 1 Thess 4:13-14, John 14:3
- Imagery & language
- Departing friends; death's alarms; Jesus' voice; His arms.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: death as Christ's call.
- Connection to previous
- Jesus' call.
Are we not heading upward too, as fast as time can move? And we would not want the hours to go slower and keep us from our Love.
'Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed' (Rom 13:11). 'My desire is to depart and be with Christ' (Phil 1:23).
- Scripture
- Rom 13:11, Phil 1:23
- Imagery & language
- Tending upward; time; our Love.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: longing for Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Upward too.
Why should we tremble to carry their bodies to the tomb? Jesus' own dear flesh lay there and scattered all the darkness.
'Joseph took the body and wrapped it… and laid it in his own new tomb' (Matt 27:59-60). Apostles' Creed: 'was buried.'
- Scripture
- Matt 27:59-60, Isa 53:9
- Imagery & language
- Bodies to the tomb; flesh of Jesus lay; gloom scattered.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the tomb hallowed.
- Connection to previous
- Jesus lay there.
He blessed the graves of all the saints and softened every bed. Where should the dying members rest but with their dying Head?
'They rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness' (Isa 57:2). 'He is the head of the body, the church' (Col 1:18). 'We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death' (Rom 6:4).
- Scripture
- Isa 57:2, Col 1:18, 1 Cor 12:27, Rom 6:4-5
- Imagery & language
- Graves blessed; softened bed; members and Head.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: union with Christ in death.
- Connection to previous
- Members with their Head.
From there he rose, ascending on high, and showed our feet the way. We too will fly up to the Lord on the great day of rising.
'Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits' (1 Cor 15:20). 'I am the way' (John 14:6). 'We… will be caught up… to meet the Lord' (1 Thess 4:17).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 15:20-23, John 14:6, 1 Thess 4:17
- Imagery & language
- Arose; ascending; showed the way; rising-day.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: Christ's resurrection as ours.
- Connection to previous
- The way up.
Then let the last loud trumpet sound and call our families to rise: Wake up, you nations under the ground! You saints, rise to the skies!
'The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable' (1 Cor 15:52). 'Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!' (Isa 26:19).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 15:52, Isa 26:19, 1 Thess 4:16
- Imagery & language
- Last trumpet; kindred rise; nations under ground; saints ascend.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the resurrection call.
- Connection to previous
- Last trumpet.
Themes
Resurrection hope Death and eternal life Christian comfort in grief Faith in Christ's victory