Scripture Verse

God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30

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 254. God’s command to all men to repent.

Music: Hun­nys, me­lo­dy from Se­ven Sobs of a Sor­row­ful Soul, 1585 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Repent, the voice celestial cries,
Nor longer dare delay:
The wretch that scorns the mandate dies,
And meets a fiery day.

No more the sovereign eye of God
O’erlooks the crimes of men;
His heralds are dispatched abroad
To warn the world of sin.

The summons reach thro’ all the earth;
Let Earth attend and fear:
Listen, ye men of royal birth,
And let their vassals hear.

Together in His presence bow,
And all your guilt confess;
Accept the offered Savior now,
Nor trifle with the grace.

Bow, e’er the awful trumpet sound,
And call you to His bar;
For mercy knows th’appointed bound,
And turns to vengeance there.

Amazing Love, that yet will call,
And yet prolong our days!
Our hearts subdued by goodness fall,
And weep, and love, and praise.