Watchmen

Verse 1

How beauteous are their feet
Who stand on Zion’s hill,
Who bring salvation on their tongues,
And words of peace reveal!

Verse 2

How charming is their voice!
How sweet the tidings are!
”Zion, behold thy Saviour King;
He reigns and triumphs here.”

Verse 3

How happy are our ears
That hear this joyful sound,
Which kings and prophets waited for,
And sought, but never found!

Verse 4

How blessed are our eyes
That see this heavenly light!
Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight.

Verse 5

The watchmen join their voice,
And tuneful notes employ;
Jerusalem breaks forth in songs,
And deserts learn the joy.

Verse 6

The Lord makes bare His arm
Through all the earth abroad;
Let every nation now behold
Their Saviour and their God.

Verse 1

Wake, awake, for night is flying;
The watchmen on the heights are crying,
Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!
The Bridegroom comes; awake,
Your lamps with gladness take;
Alleluia!
And for His marriage-feast prepare,
For ye must go to meet Him there.

Verse 2

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom:
For her Lord comes down all glorious,
The Strong in grace, in truth Victorious,
Her Star is risen, her Light is come.
Ah, come, Thou blessed Lord,
O Jesus, Son of God,
Alleluia!
We follow till the halls we see
Where Thou hast bid us sup with Thee.

Verse 3

Now let all the heavens adore Thee,
And men and angels sing before Thee,
With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
Of angels round Thy dazzling throne;
Nor eye hath seen, nor ear
Hath yet attained to hear
What there is ours;
But we rejoice and sing to Thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.

Verse 1

Ye servants of the Lord,
Each in his office wait,
Observant of His heavenly word,
And watchful at His gate.

Verse 2

Let all your lamps be bright,
And trim the golden flame;
Gird up your loins, as in His sight,
For awful is His Name.

Verse 3

Watch: ’tis your Lord’s command,
And while we speak, He’s near;
Mark the first signal of His hand,
And ready all appear.

Verse 4

O happy servant he
In such a posture found!
He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honor crowned.

Verse 5

Christ shall the banquet spread
With His own royal hand,
And raise that favorite servant’s head
Amidst the angelic band.