Scripture Verse

The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Introduction

Words: Ri­chard Kem­pen­felt, Orig­in­al Hymns and Po­ems. By Phi­lo­the­or­us (Exe­ter, Eng­land: B. Thorn, 1777).

Music: Den­bigh Welsh tune (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
Richard Kempenfelt
1718–1782

Lyrics

Hark! ’tis the trump of God
Sounds through the realms abroad,
Time is no more.
Horrors invest the skies;
Graves burst, and myriads rise;
Nature, in agonies,
Yields up her store.

Changed in a moment’s space
Lo, the affrighted race
Shriek and despair;
Now they attempt to flee,
Curse immortality,
And eye their misery
Dreadfully near.

Quick reels the bursting earth,
Rocked by a storm of wrath,
Hurled from her sphere;
Heart rending thunders roll,
Demons tormented howl,
Great God! support my soul,
Yielding to fear.

O my Re­deem­er, come;
And through the fearful gloom
Brighten Thy way;
How would our souls arise,
Soar through the flaming skies,
Join the solemnities
Of this great day!

See! see! th’incarnate God
Swiftly emits abroad
Glories benign;
Lo! lo! He comes—He’s here;
Angels and saints appear,
Fled is my every fear,
Jesus is mine.

High on a flaming throne
Rides the eter­nal Son,
Sovereign, august!
Worlds from His presence fly,
Shrink at His majesty;
Stars, dashed along the sky,
Awfully burst.

Thousands of thousands wait
Round the judicial seat,
Glorified here;
Prostrate the elders fall;
Winged is my raptured soul;
High to the Judge of all,
Lo! I draw near.

O my approving God!
Washed in Thy precious blood,
Bold I advance;
Fearless we range along,
Join the triumphant throng,
Shout an ecstatic song,
Through the expanse.