Stanza 1
How blest the righteous are
When they resign their breath!
No wonder Balaam wished to share
In such a happy death.
Stanza 2
"Oh! let me die, said he,
The death the righteous do;
When life is ended let me be
Found with the faithful few."
Stanza 3
The force of truth how great!
When enemies confess,
27 None but the righteous whom they hate,
A solid hope possess.
Stanza 4
But Balaam's wish was vain,
His heart was insincere;
He thirsted for unrighteous gain,
And sought a portion here.
Stanza 5
He seemed the LORD to know,
And to offend him loth;
But Mammon proved his overthrow,
For none can serve them both.
Stanza 6
May you, my friends, and I,
Warning from hence receive;
If like the righteous we would die,
To choose the life they live.