The Chorale Book for England ‎#125

125. Rise, my soul, to watch and pray

Rise, my soul, to watch and pray,
From thy sleep awake thee,
Lest at last the evil day
Suddenly o'ertake thee;
For the foe,
Well we know,
Oft his harvest reapeth
While the Christian sleepeth.

Wake and watch, or else thy night
Christ can ne'er enlighten;
For off still will seem the light
That thy path should brighten;
God demands
Willing hands,
Hearts His love confessing,--
Such He fills with blessing.

Watch against the world that frowns
Darkly to dismay thee;
Watch, when she thy wishes crowns,
Smiling to betray thee;
Watch and see
Thou art free
From false friends that charm thee,
While they seek to harm thee.

Watch against thyself, my soul,
See thou do not stifle
Grace that should thy thoughts control,
Nor with mercy trifle
Pride and sin
Lurk within,
All thy hopes to scatter;
List not, when they flatter.

But while watching, also see
That thou pray unceasing,
For the Lord must make thee free,
Strength and faith increasing,
So to do
Service true;
Let not sloth enslave thee,
Pray, and He will save thee.

Courage then, for He will give
All that we are needing,
Through the Son, in whom we live,
Who for us is pleading.
Day by day
Watch and pray,
While the tempests lower,
Till He comes with power.

Text Information

• First Line: Rise, my soul, to watch and pray
• Title: Rise, my soul, to watch and pray
• German Title: Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit
• Author: Freystein (1697)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1863

Tune Information

(No tune information)