Scripture Verse

All the tribes of the earth [shall] mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 794, alt. Wrath and Mer­cy.

Music: Lam­beth (Schult­hes) Wil­helm A. F. Schul­thes, 1871 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Wilhelm A. F. Schulthes (1816–1879)

Lyrics

On spread­ing clouds, the Judge su­preme
Comes fly­ing all abroad;
Mountains and rocks and seas pro­claim
The pre­sence of their God.

Ten thous­and spi­rits near His throne,
In hum­ble forms adore;
While na­tions sink be­neath His frown,
Or trem­ble at His pow­er.

Now He ap­pears in ma­jes­ty,
And draws His flam­ing sword;
See guil­ty hearts in ter­ror fly
Before their so­ve­reign Lord.

Rejoice, ye saints, this migh­ty One
Is your un­fail­ing friend;
That arm which casts the re­bel down,
The right­eous shall de­fend.