Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#396

396. The day is surely drawing near

1 THE day is surely drawing near,
When God's Son, the anointed,
Shall with great majesty appear,
As Judge of all appointed.
All mirth and laughter then shall cease,
When flames on flames will still increase
As the Apostle teacheth.

2 A trumpet loud shall then resound,
And all the earth be shaken;
Then all who in their graves are found
Shall from their sleep awaken;
But all that live shall in that hour,
By the Almighty's boundless power,
Be changed at His commanding.

3 A book is opened then to all--
A record truly telling
What each hath done both great and small,
When he on earth was dwelling;
And every heart be clearly seen,
And all be known as they have been,
In thoughts and words and actions.

4 Then woe to those who scorned the Lord,
And sought but carnal pleasures,
Who here despised His precious Word,
And loved their earthly treasures!
With shame and trembling they will stand,
And at the Judge's stern command
To Satan be delivered.

5 O Jesus, who my debt didst pay,
And for my sin wast smitten,
Within the book of life, O may
My name be also written!
I will not doubt; I trust in Thee,
From Satan Thou hast made me free,
And from all condemnation.

6 Therefore my Intercessor be,
And for Thy bloody merit
Declare my name from judgment free,
With all who life inherit;
That I may see Thee face to face,
With all Thy saints in that blest place,
Which Thou for us hast purchased.

7 O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation!
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation.
Then hear us when we cry to Thee;
Come, mighty Judge, and make us free
From every evil. Amen!

Text Information

• First Line: The day is surely drawing near
• Meter: Iambic. 8, 7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1893
• Topic: Eternity
• Notes: A. Peter, Tr. a.; German: Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit - B. Ringwaldt, 1581

Tune Information

(No tune information)