Laudes Domini ‎#1108

1108. "The Day of the Lord"

1 Day of wrath, oh, dreadful day,
When this world shall pass away,
And the heavens together roll,
Shriv'ling like a parched scroll,
Long foretold by saint and sage,
David’s harp, and Sibyl's page.

2 Day of terror, day of doom,
When the Judge at last shall come;
Through the deep and silent gloom,
Shrouding every human tomb,
Shall the Archangel’s trumpet tone
Summon all before the throne.

3 Then shall nature stand aghast,
Death himself be overcast;
Then, at her Creator's call,
Near and distant, great and small,
Shall the whole creation rise
Waiting for the great Assize.

4 Then the writing shall be read,
Which shall judge the quick and dead;
Then the Lord of all our race
Shall appoint to each his place;
Every wrong shall be set right,
Every secret brought to light.

Part II
1 When, in that tremendous day,
Heaven and earth shall pass away,
What shall I the sinner say?
What shall be the sinner's stay?
When the righteous shrinks for fear,
How shall my frail soul appear?

2 King of kings, enthroned on high,
In thine awful majesty,
Thou who of thy mercy free
Savest those who saved shall be:
In thy boundless charity,
Fount of pity, save thou me.

3 Oh, remember, Saviour dear,
What the cause that brought thee here;
All thy long and toilsome way
Was for me who went astray:
When that day at last is come,
Call, oh, call, the wanderer home.

4 Thou in search of me didst sit
Weary with the noonday heat;
Thou to save my soul hast borne
Cross and grief, and hate and scorn:
Oh, may all that toil and pain
Not be wholly spent in vain!

Part III
1 O just Judge, to whom belongs
Vengeance for all earthly wrongs:
Grant forgiveness, Lord, at last,
Ere the dread account be past.
Lo! my sighs, my guilt, my shame!
Spare me for thine own great name.

2 Thou who bad'st the sinner cease
From her tears and go in peace;
Thou who to the dying thief
Speakest pardon and relief;
Thou, O Lord, to me hast given,
Ev'n to me, the hope of heaven!

3 Naught of thee my prayers can claim,
Save in thy free mercy's name.
Worthless is each tear and cry:
Yet, good Lord, in grace comply;
Spare me: cause me not to go
Into everlasting woe.

4 Make me with thy sheep to stand,
Severed from the guilty band;
When the cursed condemned shall be,
With the blest then call thou me:
Contrite in the dust, I pray,
Save me in that awful day.

5 Full of tears and full of dread
Is the day that wakes the dead,
Calling all, with solemn blast,
From the ashes of the past;
Lord of Mercy, Jesus blest,
Grant us thine eternal rest.

Text Information

• First Line: Day of wrath, oh, dreadful day
• Title: "The Day of the Lord"
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1884
• Topic: Advent of Christ: To Judgment; Christ: Judge; Eternal Punishment; Future Punishment; Judgment Day
• Notes: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: DIES IRAE
• Meter: 7s, 6l
• Key: D♭ Major