I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:12
Words: Jane Taylor, Hymns for Infant Minds 1809.
Music: Irae, Joseph Barnby (1838–1896) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Taylor (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
How dreadful, Lord, will be the day
When all the tribes of dead shall rise;
And those who dare to disobey,
Be dragged before Thine angry eyes!
The wicked child, who often heard
His pious parents speak of Thee,
And fled from every serious word,
Shall not be able then to flee.
No; he shall see them burst the tomb,
And rise, and leave him trembling there,
To hear his everlasting doom,
With shame, and terror, and despair.
Whilst they appear at Thy right hand,
With saints and angels round the throne,
He, a poor guilty wretch, shall stand,
And bear Thy dreadful wrath, alone!
No parent then shall bid him pray
To Him who now the sinner hears;
For Christ Himself shall turn away,
And show no pity to his tears.
Great God! I tremble at the thought,
And at Thy feet for mercy bend,
That when to judgment I am brought,
The Judge Himself may be my friend.
The words above were written for children. The version below is more suitable for adults.
Adapted by Richard W. Adams, April 9, 2017 (public domain).
How dreadful, Lord, will be the day
When all the tribes of dead shall rise;
And those who dare to disobey,
Be dragged before Thine angry eyes!
The wicked man, who often heard
His pious neighbors speak of Thee,
And fled from every serious word,
Shall not be able then to flee.
No; he shall see them burst the tomb,
And rise, and leave him trembling there,
To hear his everlasting doom,
With shame, and terror, and despair.
While they appear at Thy right hand,
With saints and angels round the throne,
He, that poor guilty wretch, shall stand,
And bear Thy dreadful wrath, alone!
No friends shall bid him then to pray
To Him who now the sinner hears;
For Christ Himself shall turn away,
And show no pity to his tears.
Great God! I tremble at the thought,
And at Thy feet for mercy bend,
That when to judgment I am brought,
The Judge Himself may be my friend.