The Hymnal ‎#68

68. The world is very evil

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

Arise, arise, good Christian,
Let right to wrong succeed;
Let penitential sorrow
To heavenly gladness lead:
To the home of fadeless splendour,
Of flowers that bear no thorn,
Where they shall dwell as children,
Who here as exiles mourn;

'Mid power that knows no limit,
And wisdom free from bound,
Where rests a peace untroubled,
Peace holy and profound,
O happy, holy portion,
Refection for the blest,
True vision of true beauty,
Sweet cure for all distrest!

Thou hast no shore, fair ocean!
Thou hast no time, bright day!
Dear fountain of refreshment
To pilgrims far away!
Strive, man, to win that glory;
Toil, man, to gain that light;
Send hope before to grasp it,
Till hope be lost in sight.

O sweet and blessèd 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
• Author: St. Bernard of Cluny (1145)
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1858)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1916
• Topic: Advent

Tune Information

• Name: PEARSALL
• Composer: Robert J. Pearsall (1863)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Incipit: 51713 65543 22313
• Key: D Major