I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.
Isaiah 62:6
Words: Philip Doddridge, 1736. Doddridge wrote this hymn at Flore, Northamptonshire, England, probably for the ordination of a minister there.
Music: Cornell John H. Cornell (1828–1894) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Cornell (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Let Zion’s watchmen all awake
And take the alarm they give;
Now let them from the mouth of God
Their awful charge receive.
’Tis not a cause of small import
The pastor’s care demands;
But what might fill an angel’s heart
And filled a Savior’s hands.
They watch for souls, for which the Lord
Did heav’nly bliss forego;
For souls, which must for ever live,
In raptures, or in woe.
All to the great tribunal haste
The account to render there;
And shouldst Thou strictly mark our faults
Lord, where should we appear?
May they that Jesus, whom they preach,
Their own Redeemer see;
And watch Thou daily o’er their souls,
That they may watch for Thee.