The Couch
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Couch
Scripture Reference:
- Hebrews 3 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Just as a comfortable couch provides rest to a weary man, and people make provision for such in their homes, so thought also needs to be given to the weary soul and the eternal rest that God provides for those who obey him (Hebrews 3:18-19). The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649–1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and wrote the accompanying poem.
Motto: Think in the long term.
Poem:
One has gone here and there,
One has done this or that,
The heavy body must rest a bit.
O Man, thou seekst so thy comfort,
So that nothing is ever wanted,
Of thy desires and delights:
How necessary it was that the Soul,
Housed so long in the body,
Tired at the End of life,
And finally from the Battle of Death,
Out of the harsh time of distress,
When released from the flesh,
Came upon a soft Couch,
And experienced Unrest no longer.
Yet that important matter is forgotten,
And only the flesh is cared for; Alas!
Who knows on what hard place,
The poor Soul is then thrown!
O Man, be sure to consider this,
So that thou dost pursue Eternal Rest.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker).
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