Cheer up, ye host of righteous

1 Cheer up, ye host of righteous,
Your shining lamps display!
Evening has come upon us,
Daylight has passed away.
The Bridegroom in His splendor
Will soon again appear;
O watch and pray with candor,
Midnight will soon be here!

2 Trim up the for the occasion
Your lamps, and keep them filled!
Await now your salvation,
Have soul and body healed!
Hear Zion’s guard repeating
“The Bridegroom now is near!”
Give Him a joyful greeting;
With hallelujahs clear!

3 Ye wise and holy virgins,
Lift now your voices high’r.
Until in songs of triumph
You meet the angel choir!
The door stands wide and open,
The wedding glow foretells
The grand day for tomorrow,
Which night and gloom dispels.

4 He will not long now tarry;
Do not fall back to sleep!
The trees their blossoms carry,
See springtime forward creep,
Presage comfort for sorrow;
The sunset glow foretells
The grand day for tomorrow,
Which night and gloom dispels.

5 O who would now be sleeping?
The wise will keep awake.
God’s wrath will soon be sweeping,
And vengeance He will take
On all who are not watchful,
And homage did award
Unto the beast and idol,
Instead of Thee, O Lord.

6 Advance now for the meeting,
All who love Zion here,
With joyful, happy greeting;
Thy griefs now disappear.
The hour of joyful tiding
Now for the bride will sound,
Who, long in faith abiding,
In glory shall be crowned.

7 Ye saints, who here in patience
Your cross and suffering bore,
Shall live and reign forever
The Lamb’s bright throne before;
With joy ye shall in glory
The Lamb Himself behold;
In triumph cast before Him
Your diadems of gold.

8 There is the vict’ry’s emblem;
There is the snow-white dress;
We’ll sing the joyful anthem,
And heaven’s peace possess.
Instead of tears and sadness,
The hour of joy will chime,
And after winter’s bleakness,
Eternal spring sublime.

9 O joyful city yonder,
Jerusalem the New,
Where the redeemed shall tarry;
O were the time soon due
When we with Thee united,
Our brethren one and all,
Whom Thou, Lord, hast invited,
Enter the wedding hall!

10 O Jesus Christ, our pleasure,
Come soon and reappear!
O Jesus Christ, our treasure,
Advance Thy progress here!
We pray for termination
Of all combat and strife,
And hope our full salvation
May speedily arrive.


Source: Zion's Harp: a collection of hymns and songs for the Apostolic Christian Church of America #50