1. Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding:
"Christ is nigh!" it seems to say,
"Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!"
2. Wakened by the solemn warning,
Let the Earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, the Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.
3. Lo! the Lamb, so long-expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav'n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv'n.
4. So when next he comes with glory
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With his mercy he may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.
5. Honor, glory, might, and blessing
To the Father and the Son,
With the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Source: Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship #14
First Line: | Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding |
Title: | Hark! a Thrilling Voice Is Sounding |
Latin Title: | Vox clara ecce intonat |
Translator: | Edward Caswall |
Meter: | 8.7.8.7 |
Source: | Latin hymn, 5th cent. |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Scripture References:
st. 1 = Rom. 13:11-12
st. 2 = 2 Pet. 1:19
st. 3 = John 1:29
st. 4 = Luke 21:25-28
st. 5 = Rev. 5:13
Although earliest manuscript copy dates from the tenth century, this text is possibly as old as the fifth century. It is based on the Latin hymn 'Vox clara ecce intonat" and its 1632 revision "En clara vox redarguit." The text in the Psalter
Hymnal is a revision of both Edward Caswall's (PHH 438) translation in his Lyra Catholica (1849) and the translation in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861).
The hymn is most useful for Advent because it permits various interpretations of Christ's coming. Stanzas 1-3 contain references to Christ's first coming, but they can be used to celebrate his second coming as well. Stanza 4 surely refers to the second coming, and stanza 5, the only stanza addressed to God, is a doxology.
Liturgical Use:
During Advent for worship services that stress Christ's second coming; use stanza 5 as an Advent doxology.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook