Christian Hymns/Awake, Thou Careless World, Awake

Background

Text

• Author: Johann von Rist
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth
• Source: Chorale Book for England

Music

Hymn Tune(s):

• Wach Auf, Wach Auf, Du Sich're Welt

Lyrics

Awake, thou careless world, awake!

That final Judgment day will surely come;

What Heav'n hath fix'd no Time can shake,

Time never more shall sweep away thy doom.

Know what the Lord Himself hath spoken

Shall come at last and not delay:

Though heav'n and earth shall pass away,

His steadfast Word can ne'er be broken.

Awake! thou careless world, awake!

For none can tell how soon our God may please

That suddenly that day should break,

No human wisdom fathoms depths like these:

O flee earth's base delights and pride,

For as the bird is in the snare,

Or ever of its foe aware,

So comes that day so long denied.

Yet He in love delayeth long

That awful day, and grants the sinner space

To turn away from sin and wrong,

And mourning seek in time His love and grace.

He holdeth back that best of days

Until the righteous shall approve

Their faith and hope, their constant love;

So gentle us-ward are His ways!

And those found faithful then shall see

That glorious morning dawn in love and joy,

Their Saviour comes to set them free,

Their Judge Himself shall all their bonds destroy;

He the true Joshua then shall bring

His people with a mighty hand

Into their promised fatherland,

Where songs of victory they shall sing.

Arise, and let us night and day

Watch for our Lord, and study o'er His word,

And in the Spirit ever pray,

That we be ready when His call is heard;

Arise, and let us haste to meet

The Bridegroom standing at the door,

That with the angels evermore

We too may worship at His feet.