Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#537

537. Day of Wrath

1 Day of wrath, O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophet's warning:
Heav'n and earth in ashes burning.
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth's sepulchers it ringeth,
All before the throne it bringeth.
O what fear man's bosom rendeth
When from heav'n the Judge descendeth
On whose sentence all dependeth.

2 Death is struck and nature quaking;
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.
Lo, the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded;
Thence shall judgment be awarded.
When the Judge His seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.

3 What shall I, frail man, be pleading,
Who for me be interceding
When the just are mercy needing?
King of Majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!
Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution
Grant Thy gift of absolution
Ere the Day of Retribution.

4 Faint and weary Thou hast sought me,
On the cross of suff'ring bought me;
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?
Think, good Jesus, my salvation
Caused Thy wondrous incarnation;
Leave me not to sin's damnation!
Guilty now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning:
Hear, O Christ, Thy servant's groaning!

5 Bows my heart in meek submission,
Strewn with ashes of contrition;
Help me in my last condition!
Worthless are my prayers and sighing;
Yet, Good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying.
Thou the sinful woman savedst;
Thou the dying thief forgavest;
Thus to me true hope vouchsafest!

6 With Thy favored sheep then place me,
Nor among the goats abase me,
But to Thy right hand upraise me.
While the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me, with Thy saints surrounded.
To the rest Thou didst prepare me
On Thy cross; O Christ, upbear me!
Spare, O God, in mercy spare me.

Text Information

• First Line: Day of wrath, O day of mourning
• Title: Day of Wrath
• Latin Title: Dies irae
• Author (attr.): Thomas of Celano
• Translator: W. J. Irons, 1812-83
• Meter: 888 888 888
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Judgment Day; Trinity 26
• Source: 13th Cent. Sequence

Tune Information

• Name: DIES IRAE
• Meter: 888 888 888
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Setting © 1996 Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary.