Oft have we passed the guilty night

Oft have we passed the guilty night

Author: Charles Wesley
Published in 23 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Oft have we pass'd the guilty night
In revellings and frantic mirth,
The creature was our soul delight,
Our happiness the things of earth;
But O suffice the season past,
We choose the better part at last.

2 We will not close our wakeful eyes,
We will not let our eye-lids sleep,
But humbly lift them to the skies,
And all a solemn vigil keep;
So many nights on sin bestow'd,
Can we not watch one hour for God?

3 We can, dear Jesus, for thy sake,
Devote our every hour to thee;
Speak but the word, our souls shall 'wake,
and sing with cheerful melody;
Thy praise shall our glad tongues employ,
And every heart shall dance for joy.

4 Dear object of our faith and love,
We listen for thy welcome voice,
Our persons and our works approve,
And bid us in thy strength rejoice,
Now let us hear the mighty cry,
And shout to find the Bridegroom nigh.

5 Shout in the midst of us, O King
Of saints, and let our joys abound,
Let us rejoice, give thanks, and sing,
And triumph in redemption sound:
We ask in faith for every soul;
O let our glorious joy be full.

6 O may we all triumphant rise,
With joy upon our heads return,
And far above these nether skies,
By thee on eagles' wings upborne,
Through all yon radiant circle move,
and gain the highest heaven of love.

Source: A Pocket hymn-book, designed as a constant companion for the pious: collected from various authors (11th ed.) #CCLXXVI

Author: Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Oft have we passed the guilty night
Author: Charles Wesley
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 23 of 23)

A Collection of Hymns Adapted to the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church #d473

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church #164

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church #164

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America. #201

Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns #164

TextPage Scan

A Pocket hymn-book, designed as a constant companion for the pious #CCLXXVI

Page Scan

A Pocket Hymn-book #276

Page Scan

A Pocket Hymn-Book #CCLXXVI

Page Scan

Hymns and Sacred Poems #133

Hymns for the Use of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Impr. ed. #d382

Pocket Hymn Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church #d205

Pocket Hymn Book, Designed as a Constant Companion. 25th ed. #d201

The African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymn Book #d344

The Methodist Pocket Hymn Book. 35th ed. #d219

The Methodist Pocket Hymn Book. Rev. #d222

Page Scan

The Methodist Pocket Hymn-book, revised and improved #CXXXI

The New Brunswick Temperance Songster #d28

The Sacred Lyre #d224

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us