The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#605

605. The World Is Very Evil

1 The world is very evil,
The times are waxing late:
Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate:
The Judge that comes in mercy,
The Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil,
To diadem the right.

2 Arise, arise, good Christian,
Let right to wrong succeed;
Let penitential sorrow
To heav'nly gladness lead,
To light that hath no evening,
That knows no moon nor sun,
The light so new and golden,
The light that is but one.

3 O home of fadeless splendor,
Of flow'rs that bear no thorn,
Where they shall dwell as children,
Who here as exiles mourn.
Midst pow'r that knows no limit,
Where knowledge has no bound,
The beatific vision
Shall glad the saints around.

4 Strive, man, to win that glory;
Toil, man, to gain that light;
Send hope before to grasp it
Till hope be lost in sight.
Exult, O dust and ashes,
The Lord shall be thy part;
His only, His forever,
Thou shalt be and thou art.

5 O sweet and blessed country,
The home of God's elect!
O sweet and blessed country
That eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us
To that dear land of rest,
Who art, with God the Father,
And Spirit, ever blest.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: The world is very evil
• Title: The World Is Very Evil
• Latin Title: Hora novissima
• Translator: John M. Neale (1849)
• Author: Bernard of Morlas (c. 1140, cento)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Revelation 21:24
• Topic: The Last Things: Judgment

Tune Information

• Name: EWING
• Composer: Alexander Ewing
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Key: C Major