Browse by Genre
2 items
Thomas of Celano, 13th cent.; tr. Walter Scott, Bart., 1805·Patristic
Verse 1
That day of wrath, that dreadful day,
When heaven and earth shall pass away!
What power shall be the sinner’s stay?
How shall he meet that dreadful day?
Verse 2
When, shrivelling like a parchèd scroll,
The flaming heavens together roll;
When louder yet, and yet more dread,
Swells the high trump that wakes the dead;
Verse 3
O on that day, that wrathful day,
When man to judgment wakes from clay,
Be Thou the trembling sinner’s stay,
Though heaven and earth shall pass away.
Presbyterian 1895 No. 260 · L.M. · Windham
Thomas of Celano, 13th cent.; tr. William J. Irons, 1848·Patristic
Verse 1
Day of wrath! O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophets’ warning,
Heaven and earth in ashes burning!
Verse 2
O what fear man’s bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth.
Verse 3
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth;
Through earth’s sepulchres it ringeth;
All before the throne it bringeth.
Verse 4
Death is struck, and nature quaking;
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.
Verse 5
Lo, the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded:
Thence shall judgment be awarded.
Verse 6
When the Judge His seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.
Verse 7
What shall I, frail man, be pleading,
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?
Verse 8
King of Majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us.
Verse 9
Think, kind Jesus, my salvation
Cost Thy wondrous Incarnation;
Leave me not to reprobation.
Verse 10
Faint and weary Thou hast sought me,
On the cross of suffering bought me;
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?
Verse 11
Righteous Judge of retribution,
Grant Thy gift of absolution
Ere that reckoning-day’s conclusion.
Verse 12
Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.
Verse 13
Thou the sinful woman savedst;
Thou the dying thief forgavest;
And to me a hope vouchsafest.
Verse 14
Worthless are my prayers and sighing;
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying.
Verse 15
With Thy favored sheep O place me;
Nor among the goats abase me;
But to Thy right hand up-raise me.
Verse 16
While the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me, with Thy saints surrounded.
Verse 17
Low I kneel with heart-submission;
See, like ashes, my contrition;
Help me in my last condition.
Verse 18
Ah, that day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning,
Man for judgment must prepare him;
Spare, O God, in mercy spare him:
Verse 19
Lord, all pitying, Jesus blest,
Grant us Thine eternal rest.
Presbyterian 1895 No. 263 · 8.8.8. · Dies Irae