Saving Sorrow

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5,6).  “To the counselors of peace is joy… Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” (Proverbs 12:20,25).  “Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD… Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils” (Isaiah 2:5,22).  “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Those who sow in tears rejoice,  

For God decrees that they shall reap.

How sweet the sound is of the voice

Of those with precious seed who weep.

They weep for souls now perishing;

They seek to turn them from their sin.  

The souls that they are cherishing

Are those our Savior died to win.

They are the counselors of peace;

They bring God’s joy to heavy hearts. 

Their sheaves of gladness thus increase,

For this is where the reaping starts.

Yet sorrow is where it began,

When God looked down from heaven’s height

And with compassion drew the plan

To save us from our awful plight.

We bring the light of God’s dominion:

O come, and let us therein walk! 

Now cease from hearing man’s opinion,

And listen to the Savior talk!

There is a sorrow that will sway

A soul to thus receive salvation.

The world’s sorrow turns away

To death that seals condemnation.

O Lord, we surely see the cause

For weeping as You also did.

Eternity should give us pause,

Since hell has not from us been hid. 

We thank You for Your saving sorrow,

O Lord, that brought You from above. 

With every breath that we may borrow,

Lord, help us manifest Your love.