Scripture Verse

Watch…for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42

Introduction

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Benjamin H. Kennedy (1804–1889)

Words: Ben­ja­min H. Ken­ne­dy, Hym­no­lo­gia Chris­ti­ana (Lon­don: Long­man, Green, Long­man, Ro­berts & Green, 1863), num­ber 53.

Music: De Pro­fun­dis Eng­lish tra­di­tion­al tune (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Whilst the careless world is sleeping,
Blest the servants who are keeping
Watch, according to His Word,
For the coming of their Lord.

At His table He will place them,
With His royal banquet grace them,
Banquet that will ne­ver cloy,
Bread of life and wine of joy.

Heard ye not your master’s warning?
He will come before the morning,
Unexpected, undescried;
Watch ye for Him open-eyed.

Teach us so to watch, Lord Je­sus;
From the sleep of sin release us:
Swift to hear Thee let us be,
Meet to enter in with Thee.

God who with all good provides us,
God who made, who saved, who guides us,
Praise we with the heavenly host,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.