Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians ‎#75

75. The Great Tribunal

1 John, in a vision, saw the day
When the Judge will hasten down;
Heav'n and earth shall flee away
From the terror of his frown:
Dead and living, small and great,
Raised from the earth and sea;
At his bar shall hear their fate,
What will then become of me?

2 Can I bear his awful looks?
Shall I stand in judgment then,
When I see the opened books,
Written by the Almighty's pen?
If he to remembrance bring,
And expose to public view,
Ev'ry work and secret thing:
Ah, my soul, what can'st thou do?

3 When the list shall be produc'd
Of the talents I enjoy'd;
Means and mercies how abus'd
Time and strength how misemploy'd:
Conscience then compell'd to read,
Must allow the charge is true:
Say, my soul, what canst thou plead,
It that hour, what wilt thou do?

4 But the book of life I see,
May my name be written there;
Then from guilt and danger free,
Glad I'll meet him in the air:
That's the book I hope to plead,
'Tis the gospel open'd wide;
Lord, I am a wretch indeed!
I have sinne'd, but thou hast dy'd.

5 Now my soul knows what to do;
Thus I shall with boldness stand,
Number'd with the faithful few,
Own'd and sav'd at thy right hand;
If thou help a feeble worm
To believe thy promise now;
Justice will at last confirm
What thy mercy wrought below.

Text Information

• First Line: John, in a vision, saw the day
• Title: The Great Tribunal
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1803

Tune Information

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