Scripture Verse

Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24–25

Introduction

portrait
Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Words: Phi­lip Dodd­ridge (1702–1751). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Found­ed on Va­ri­ous Texts in the Ho­ly Scrip­tures, by Job Or­ton (Shrop­shire, Eng­land: Jo­shua Ed­dowes & John Cot­ton, 1755), num­ber 317: The day ap­proach­ing, a mo­tive to love and wor­ship.

Music: Aw­ful Ma­jes­ty at­trib­ut­ed to Sam­u­el Mc­Far­land in The Beau­ties of Har­mo­ny, by Free­man Lew­is, 1813. At­trib­ut­ed to Free­man Lew­is in Sup­ple­ment to the Ken­tuc­ky Har­mo­ny, by An­a­ni­as Da­vis­son, 1820 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

The day approacheth, O my soul,
The great decisive day,
Which from the verge of mortal life
Shall bear thee far away.

Another day more awful dawns;
And lo, the Judge appears;
Ye heav’ns, retire before His face,
And sink, ye darkened stars.

Yet does one short preparing hour,
One precious hour remain;
Rouse thee, my soul, with all thy power,
Nor let it pass in vain.

With me my brethren soon must die,
And at that bar appear:
Now be our intercourse improved
To mutual comfort there.

For this, Thy temple, Lord, we throng;
For this, Thy board surround;
Here may our service be approved,
And in Thy presence crowned.