Blessed Are the Dead

Author:Donald S. Fortner, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Danville, KY.

Composer: Joseph R. Terrell, pastor of Grace Community Church.

Midi File

Sheet Music

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This hymn lyic was written by Don Fortner in 1990. There is an interesting story behind the tune. On January 11, 1991, I saw the lyric in Bro. Fortner's church bulletin. I was quite impressed with the lyric and set about to write a tune for it. That night, I met with three other couples from our church. One of the men there was Herm Rozeboom. Herm had cooked a turkey for all of us. We had a wonderful dinner together and fellowshipped together for a few hours. In the course of the evening, I showed the folks the tune I had written for this lyric.

At about midnight, all of us went home. At 2 AM, Herm's son called me to tell me that Herm had passed away of a heart attack.

Herm was a great help to the church, and has been sorely missed. But it was great comfort to think of this lyric as it applies to Bro. Rozeboom. In memory of this dear brother, I have named the tune "Rozeboom"

1. Blessed are the dead who die in Christ,
For they are with Him now;
The glories they now share in heav'n,
No mortal here can know.

2. Soon as the ransomed soul is freed,
From this poor mortal frame;
Before we know it's gone it is,
With Christ praising His name!

3. Faith tries but here cannot quite see,
The things God has prepared;
For those He chose redeemed and called,
And now in heav'n appear.

4. We'll now rejoice this much to know,
They are completely blessed;
Freed from all sorrow, pain and sin,
With Jesus Christ they rest.

5. Our friends their Savior fully see,
And all His glory share;
Let us be foll'wer's of the Lamb,
And we shall join them there.