Not tears alone for natural grief
Our God shall wipe away;
To sinners too He sends relief,
When unto Him they pray.

We mourn the loss of dearest friends,
For want, and woe, and pain;
But still our God some comfort sends,
And we rejoice again.

But most we weep and mourn for Sin,
Will God, our God, forgive;
And purify the heart within,
That we to Him may live?

Shall we as sinners ever know,
That we are all-forgiven?
Shall Memory's page no record show,
'Gainst such as dwell in heaven?

God wipes away the sinner's tears,
Reveals a Father's love;
And all our doubts and all our fears,
But passing shadows prove.

E'en Memory's self at length shall cease
To bear one guilty stain,
And naught but joy, and heavenly peace
Within the soul remain.