Day of Wrath, O Day of Mourning
Verse 1
Day of wrath, O day of mourning! See fulfilled the prophet's warning, Heav'n and earth in ashes burning.
Verse 2
Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth When from Heav'n the Judge descendeth On whose sentence all dependeth!
Verse 3
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, Through earth's sepulchers 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, good Jesus, my salvation Caused Thy wondrous incarnation; Leave me not to reprobation!
Verse 10
Faint and weary Thou hast sought me, On the cross of suff'ring bought me; Shall such grace be vainly brought me?
Verse 11
Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution Grant Thy gift of absolution Ere that day of retribution!
Verse 12
Guilty, now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning: Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning!
Verse 13
From that sinful woman shriven, From the dying thief forgiven, Thou to me a hope hast given.
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, oh, place me! Nor among the goats abase me, But to Thy right hand upraise 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
Day of sorrow, day of weeping, When, in dust no longer sleeping, Man awakes in Thy dread keeping!