The Hymnal ‎#481

481. Lord, her watch Thy Church is keeping

Lord, her watch thy Church is keeping:
When shall earth thy rule obey?
When shall end the night of weeping?
When shall break the promised day?
See the whitening harvest languish,
Waiting still the labourers' toil;
Was it vain, thy Son's deep anguish?
Shall the Strong retain the spoil?

Tidings, sent to every creature,
Millions yet have never heard:
Can they hear without a preacher?
Lord almighty, give the word!
Give the word! in every nation
Let the Gospel trumpet sound,
Witnessing a world's salvation,
To the earth's remotest bound.

Then the end! Thy Church completed,
All thy chosen gathered in,
With their King in glory seated,
Satan bound, and banished sin;
Gone for ever parting, weeping,
Hunger, sorrow, death, and pain;
Lo! her watch thy Church is keeping;
Come, Lord Jesus, come to reign!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord, her watch Thy Church is keeping
• Author: Henry Downton (1867)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1916
• Topic: Missions

Tune Information

• Name: EVERTON
• Composer: Henry Smart (1867)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7. D.
• Incipit: 34516 71545 31222
• Key: E♭ Major