Scripture Verse

A great multitude, which no man could number. Revelation 7:9

Introduction

portrait
J. Varley Roberts (1822–1877)

Words: From a 15th Cen­tu­ry Karls­ru­he ma­nu­script (Quis­quis va­let nu­mer­a­re), at­trib­ut­ed by some to Tho­mas à Kem­pis. Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Tho­mas B. Poll­ock in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1889.

Music: Mo­de­na (Ro­berts) J. Var­ley Ro­berts, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1889 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Poll­ock or Ro­berts (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Thomas B. Pollock (1836–1896)

Lyrics

Who the multitudes can number
In the mansions of the blest,
He can weigh the joys eter­nal
By those ransomed ones possessed;
Exiled now on earth no longer,
They have gained the home of rest.

Happily at last delivered
From the mournful vale of tears,
Sweet is now their recollection
Of the sad and troubled years;
While fulfilled in all perfection
God’s eter­nal plan appears.

They behold their tempter fallen,
Bound in ev­er­last­ing chain;
Praising Christ their gracious Sav­ior,
All unite in joyful strain,
Christ the great reward and portion
Which adoring spirits gain.

Now in shadow and in figure,
Mirrored in imperfect light;
Then, as we are known, our knowledge
Shall be clear, unveiled, and bright;
For on God’s unclouded glo­ry
We shall gaze with cleansèd sight.

Then the Trinity of Persons
We shall face to face behold,
And the unity of substance
Shall its mystery unfold;
As the wondrous triune Godhead
We adore in bliss untold.

Courage, man, be strong, be faithful,
Whatsoe’er thy bur­den be,
For unbounded are the glories
Which thy sorrows work for thee;
Soon the light of light for­ev­er
Shall thine eyes with rapture see.

God the Fa­ther, fount of being,
Thee, most highest, we adore;
God the Son, our praise and homage
We present Thy throne before;
Glorious Paraclete, we worship,
And we bless Thee ev­er­more.