Citation

Hier rust mijn eigen lieve vrouw, onze zorgzame moeder en oma Grietje de Graaf - Kroeze geb. 14-9-1894 overl. 20-6-1977 echtgn. van R. de Graaf.
Wat gij nu bent - ben ik geweest
Wat ik nu ben - zult gij eens worden. Ps. 103:8
(Here rests my own sweet wife, our caring mother and grandmother Grietje de Graaf - Kroeze, born 14 Sept 1894, died 20 June 1977, spouse of R. de Graaf.
As you are now - so once was I
As I am now - so will you be. Psalms 103:8)

The grave is common enough. The opening phrase is a standard phrase for both grave markers and death announcements. The biographical data is in a common format, and there is neither more nor less than I expected. Next to Grietje lies her husband Roelof de Graaf who died in 1991. What intrigued me is the citation of the epitaph. I have seen the epitaph before, in Dutch and in English, on the web and on paper (but not actually on a grave marker, I think). But I had never expected this was a biblical quote.

Later that day, at home, I looked up psalm 103, verse 8: "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Not quite the same... So what is this citation, a mistake? A joke? Do I miss something?

Does anyone know the origin of this epitaph? There are many mentions of it on the web, but none with source. If any reader would care to enlighten me, please leave a comment or contact me.

Photo: Cemetery Oud-Zuilen, taken on 25 October 2008 by the author.