The words
Stanza 1. John in vision saw the dayWhen the Judge will hasten down;Heav’n and earth shall flee awayFrom the terror of his frown:Dead and living, small and great,Raised from the earth and sea;At his bar shall hear their fate,.What will then become of me?
Stanza 2. Can I bear his aweful looks?Shall I stand in judgment then,When I see the opened books,Written by th’ Almighty’s pen?If he to remembrance bring,And expose to public view,Every work and secret thing,Ah, my soul, what canst thou do?
Stanza 3. When the list shall be producedOf the talents I enjoyed;Means and mercies, how abused!Time and strength, how misemployed!Conscience then, compelled to read,Must allow the charge is true;Say, my soul, what canst thou pleadIn that hour, what wilt thou do?
Stanza 4. But the book of life I see,May my name be written there!Then from guilt and danger free,Glad I’ll meet him in the air:That’s the book I hope to plead,’Tis the gospel opened wide;Lord, I am a wretch indeed!I have sinned, but thou hast died.
Stanza 5. Now my soul knows what to do;Thus I shall with boldness stand,Numbered with the faithful few,Owned and saved, at thy right hand:If thou help a foolish wormTo believe thy promise now;Justice will at last confirmWhat thy mercy wrought below.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 79. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-79
