Hearken to the Solemn Voice (EN 5311)

1

Hearken to the solemn voice, the awful midnight cry;

Waiting souls, rejoice, rejoice, and see the Bridegroom nigh;

Lo! He comes to keep His Word, light and joy His looks impart;

Go ye forth to meet your Lord, and meet Him in your heart.

2

Ye who faint beneath the load of sin, your heads lift up;

See your great redeeming God, He comes, and bids you hope:

In the midnight of your grief, Jesus doth His mourners cheer;

Lo! He brings you sure relief; believe, and feel Him here.

3

Ye whose loins are girt, stand forth! Whose lamps are burning bright,

Worthy, in your Savior’s worth, to walk with Him in white:

Jesus bids your hearts be clean, bids you all His promise prove;

Jesus comes to cast out sin, and perfect you in love.

4

Wait we all in patient hope, till Christ, the Judge, shall come,

We shall soon be all caught up to meet the general doom:

In an hour to us unknown, as a thief in deepest night,

Christ shall suddenly come down, with all His saints in light.

5

Happy he whom Christ shall find watching to see Him come;

Him the Judge of all mankind shall bear triumphant home:

Who can answer to His Word? Which of you dares meet His day?

“Rise, and come to judgment!”—Lord, we rise, and come away.