The Day is Surely Drawing Near - #611

"The Day is Surely Drawing Near"
by Bartholomaeus Ringwaldt, 1532-c. 1600
Translated by Philip A. Peter, 1832-1917

1. The day is surely drawing near
When God's Son, the Anointed,
Shall with great majesty appear
As Judge of all appointed.
All mirth and laughter then shall cease
When flames on flames will still increase,
As Scripture truly teacheth.

2. A trumpet loud shall then resound
And all the earth be shaken.
Then all who in their graves are found
Shall from their sleep awaken;
But all that live shall in that hour
By the Almighty's boundless pow'r
Be changed at His commanding.

3. A book is opened then to all,
A record truly telling
What each hath done, both great and small,
When he on earth was dwelling;
And ev'ry heart be clearly seen,
And all be known as they have been
In tho'ts and words and actions.

4. Then woe to those who scorned the Lord
And sought but carnal pleasures,
Who here despised His precious Word
And loved their earthly treasures!
With shame and trembling they will stand
And at the Judge's stern command
To Satan be delivered.

5. O Jesus, who my debt didst pay
And for my sin wast smitten,
Within the Book of Life, oh, may
My name be also written!
I will not doubt; I trust in Thee,
From Satan Thou hast made me free
And from all condemnation.

6. Therefore my Intercessor be
And for Thy blood and merit
Declare my name from judgment free
With all who life inherit,
That I may see Thee face to face
With all Thy saints in that blest place
Which Thou for us hast purchased.

7. O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation.
Then hear us when we cry to Thee;
Come, mighty Judge, and make us free
From every evil! Amen.

Hymn #611
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Luke 21:25-36
Author: Bartholomaeus Ringwaldt, 1586, ad.
Translated by: Philip A. Peter, 1880, alt.
Titled: "Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit"
Composer: Wittenberg, 1835
Tune: "Es ist gewisslich"
1st Published in: Geistliche Lieder
Wittenberg, 1535