Hearken to the solemn voice

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General information

Hearken to the solemn voice is a hymn by Charles Wesley, first published on pp131-133 of the third volume of Hymns and Sacred Poems (1742).

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Text and translations

English.png English text

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.

Ye who faint beneath the load
Of sin, your heads lift up,
See your dear, redeeming God,
He comes, and bids you hope.
In the midnight of your grief,
Jesus doth his mourners chear,
Now he brings you sure relief:
Believe, and feel him here.

Ye whose loins are girt stand forth!
Whose lamps are burning bright,
Worthy in your Saviour’s worth,
To walk with Christ in light:
Jesus bids your hearts be clean,
Bids you all his promise prove;
Jesus comes to cast out sin,
And perfect you in love.

Happiest souls, (if such are here,)
Who have attain'd the prize,
Wait ye till your Lord appear,
Descending from the skies:
Still forget the things behind,
Toward your thrones of glory press,
Stop not, till above ye find
The crown of righteousness.

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.

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

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