1 DAY of wrath, that day of mourning!
See fulfilled the Prophet's warning,
Heaven and earth in ashes burning!

2 O what fear man's bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth
On whose sentence all dependeth!

3 Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth's sepulchers it ringeth,
All before the throne it bringeth.

4 Death is struck, and nature quaking;
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.

5 Lo, the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded;
Thence shall judgment be awarded.

6 When the Judge His seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.

7 What shall I frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?

8 King of majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!

9 Think, kind Jesus! my salvation
Cost Thy wondrous incarnation;
Leave me not to reprobation!

10 Faint and weary Thou hast sought me;
On the cross of suffering bought me;
Shall such grace in vain be brought me?

11 Righteous Judge of retribution,
Grant thy gift of absolution,
Ere that day's dread execution.

12 Guilty, now I pour my mourning,
All my shame with anguish owning!
Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning!

13 Thou the woman gav'st remission,
Heard'st the dying thief's petition;
Hopeless else were my condition.

14 Worthless are my prayers and sighing
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying!

15 With Thy favored sheep, O place me!
Nor amid the goats abase me:
But to Thy right hand upraise me.

16 While the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me, with Thy saints surrounded.

17 Bows my heart in meek submission,
Strews with ashes of contrition;
Succor Thou my lost condition!

18 Day of sorrow, Day of weeping,
When in dust no longer sleeping,
Man awakes in Thy dread keeping!

19 To the rest Thou didst prepare me,
On Thy cross, O Christ, upbear me!
Spare, O God, in mercy spare me!