The night is far spent, the day is at hand.
Romans 13:12
Words: Thomas Kelly, 1836, alt.
Music: Nebraska, attributed to Johann M. Haydn (1737–1806) (🔊 pdf nwc).
The night is far spent,
The day is at hand;
Already the dawn
May be seen in the sky;
Rejoice then, ye saints,
’Tis your Lord’s own command;
Rejoice, for the coming
Of Jesus draws nigh.
How bright it will be,
When Jesus appears!
How welcome to those
Who have shared in His cross!
A crown incorruptible
Then will be theirs,
A rich compensation
For suffering and loss.
Affliction is light
Compared to the day
Of glory that then
Will from Heaven be revealed!
The Savior is coming,
His people may say,
The Lord whom we look for,
Our sun and our shield.
O pardon us, Lord,
That love to Thy name
Is faint, with so much
Our affections to move!
Our deadness shall fill us
With grief and with shame,
So much to be loved
And so little to love!
O kindle within
Us holy desire,
Like that which was found
In Thy people of old!
Who felt all Thy love,
And whose hearts were on fire,
While waiting in patience
Thy face to behold!