Hymns of the Church

TRASK. 145.

THE

811

I BEHOLD the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night,
And blest is he whose loins are girt, whose lamp is burning bright;
But woe to that dull servant whom the Master shall surprise
With lamp untrimmed, unburning, and with slumber in his eyes!

2 Do thou, my soul, beware, beware, lest thou in sleep sink down,
Lest thou be given o'er to death, and lose the golden crown;
But see that thou be sober, with watchful eyes, and thus
Cry, "Holy, Holy, Holy God, have mercy upon us!”

3 That day, the day of fear, shall come: my soul, slack not thy toil,
But light thy lamp, and feed it well, and make it bright with oil;
Who knowest not how soon may sound the cry at eventide,
"Behold, the Bridegroom comes! Arise! Go forth to meet the Bride."

4 Beware, my soul! beware, beware, lest thou in slumber lie,
And, like the five, remain without and knock and vainly cry;
But watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed, and Christ shall gird thee on
His own bright wedding-robe of light, the glory of the Son.

METCALF. 7s & 6s.

812

I REJOICE, all ye believers,
And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing,

And darker night is near:
The Bridegroom is arising,

And soon He draweth nigh:
Up! pray, and watch, and wrestle!
At midnight comes the cry.

2 The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near;
Go meet Him as He cometh,
With hallelujahs clear:
The marriage-feast is waiting,
The gates wide-open stand;
Up, up, ye heirs of glory!

The Bridegroom is at hand.

3 Our Hope and Expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, Thou Sun so longed for,

O'er this benighted sphere!
With heart and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption,
That brings us unto Thee!

813

I THE world is very evil;

The times are waxing late:
Be sober and keep vigil;

The Judge is at the gate;
The Judge who comes in mercy,
The Judge who comes in might,
To terminate the evil,

And vindicate the right.

2 Prepare we then to meet Him;
Let right to wrong succeed;
Let penitential sorrow

To heavenly gladness lead:
So may we sound His praises,
Who from destruction saved,
Bore with us in defilement,

And from defilement laved.

3 Far, far, as we have wandered,
And deep as is our fall,
His mercies never fail us,
Who freely pardons all;
Who bids His grace abounding
Love's mightiness display,
And David's royal fountain
Purge every sin away.

« Previous Continue »

Books

Hymns of the Church: With Tunes