"Hang A While"

Where'er Thou roam'st, one happy soul, we know,

      Seen at Thy side in woe,

   Waits on Thy triumphs—even as all the blest

      With him and Thee shall rest.

   Each on his cross; by Thee we hang a while,

      Watching Thy patient smile,

   Till we have learned to say, "'Tis justly done,

Only in glory, LORD, Thy sinful servant own."

—John Keble

Old John Keble’s poetry is difficult to parse, but worth the trouble when done.  

He writes of “one happy soul,” thinking of Dismas, the repentant thief, hanging on the cross at Jesus’ side, suffering woe, but waiting for Jesus’ triumph. 

Keble sees us crucified with him (“each on his own cross"), as we "hang a while” at Jesus’ side  until we have learned to say “’Tis justly done”—patiently accepting our measure of sorrow and suffering in this life, as Jesus did (“Thy will be done”)—clinging to his promise: "Truly I say to you, you will be with me in Paradise."

Jesus, for the glory set before him endured the cross. Thus we “watch” and wear his patient smile and “hang a while” until he takes us with him into glory.

David Roper

6.19.20