1 Arise, sons of the kingdom!
The King is drawing nigh;
Arise, and hail with gladness
The Ruler from on high.
Ye Christians, hasten forth!
Your praise and homage bring Him,
And glad hosannas sing Him;
Naught else your love is worth.
2 Arise, ye drooping mourners!
The King is very near;
Away with grief and sorrow,
For lo! your Help is here.
Behold, in many a place--
O blessed consolation!--
We find Him, our Salvation,
In His pure means of grace.
3 Now hear, ye bold transgressors,
The King does well give heed
To all that ye are doing,
And to the life ye lead,
Enthralled by sin and hell;
Nothing in all creation
Escapes His observation,
He marketh all things well.
4 Be righteous, ye His subjects,
The King is just and true;
Prepare for Him a high-way,
Make all things straight and new.
He means all for our good;
Then let us bear the crosses
Which He Himself imposes,
In an undaunted mood.
5 He nevermore forsaketh
A child that feels the rod,
Who Him his refuge maketh,
And puts his trust in God.
He is our sovereign King;
E'en death itself shall never
Those from their Master sever
Who to His mercy cling.
6 Arise, ye faint and fearful!
The King now comes with might;
His heart hath long since loved us,
He makes our darkness light.
Now are our sorrow o'er;
No wrath shall e'er befall us,
Since God in grace doth call us
His children evermore.
7 The King in grace remembers
His loved ones here below
With gifts of royal treasures,
Yea, doth Himself bestow
Through His blest Word and grace.
O King, arrayed in splendor,
To Thee all praise we'll render
Here and there face to face.
8 O rich the gifts Thou bring'st us,
Thyself made poor and weak;
O Love beyond expression
That thus can sinners seek!
For this, O Lord, will we
Our joyous tribute bring Thee,
And glad hosannas sing Thee,
And ever grateful be.