1 Behold the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night,
And blest is he whose loins are girt, whose lamp is burning bright;
But woe to that dull servant, whom the Master shall surprise
With lamp untrimmed, unburning and with slumber in his eyes.
2 Do thou, my soul, beware, beware lest thou in sleep sink down,
Lest thou be given o’er to death, and lose the golden crown;
But see that thou be sober, with a watchful eye, and thus
Cry, "Holy, holy, holy God, have mercy upon us!"
3 That day, the day of fear, shall come; my soul, slack not thy toil,
But light thy lamp, and feed it well, and make it bright with oil;
Who knowest not how soon may sound the cry at eventide,
"Behold the Bridegroom comes! Arise! He come to meet the Bride!"
4 Beware, my soul! take thou good heed lest thou in slumber lie,
And, like the five, remain without, and knock, and vainly cry;
But watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed, and Christ shall gird thee on
His own bright wedding robe of light,--the glory of the Son.
Source: The Lutheran Hymnary #512
First Line: | Behold, the Bridegroom cometh In the middle of the night |
Translator: | Gerard Moultrie (1864) |
Meter: | 14.14.14.14 |
Source: | Midnight Office of the Greek Church |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |