For Advent

Words: Greek
Translated by The Rev. J. M. Neale

Music: None Given

Source: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #35, p. 51.

1. God comes; — and who shall stand before His fear?
Who bide His Presence, when He draweth near?
    My soul, my soul, prepare
    To kneel before Him there!

2. Haste, -- weep, -- be reconciled to Him before
The fearful judgment knocketh at the door:
    Where, in the Judge's eyes,
    All bare and naked lies.

3. Have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, I cry,
When with Thine angels Thou appear'st on high:
    And man a doom inherits,
    According to his merits.

4. How can I bear Thy fearful anger, Lord?
I, that so often have transgressed Thy word?
    But put my sins away,
    And spare me in that day.

5. O miserable soul, return, lament,
Ere earthly converse end, and life be spent:
    Ere, time for sorrow o'er,
    The Bridegroom close the door!

6. Yes, I have sinned, as no man sinned beside:
With more than human guilt my soul is dyed:
    But spare, and save me here,
    Before that day appear!

7. Three Persons in One Essence uncreate,
On Whom, both Three and One, our praises wait,
    Give everlasting light
    To them that sing Thy might:

Scan from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #35, p. 51.

Note:

The music in That Fearful Day, That Day Of Speechless Dread would seem to match the meter of this poem:

Sheet Music from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #34, pp. 50-51.