Charles Wesley - Great God! What Do I See And Hear! Lyrics
Lyrics
1 Great God! what do I see and hear!
The end of things created!
The Judge of mankind doth appear,
On clouds of glory seated.
The trumpet sounds! the graves restore
The dead which they contained before!
Prepare, my soul, to meet him.
2 The dead in Christ shall first arise,
At the last trumpet's sounding,
Caught up to meet him in the skies,
With joy their Lord surrounding:
No gloomy fears their souls dismay;
His presence sheds eternal day
On those prepared to meet him.
3 The ungodly, filled with guilty fears,
Behold his wrath prevailing;
In woe they rise, but all their tears
And sighs are unavailing:
The day of grace is past and gone:
Trembling they stand before his throne,
All unprepared to meet him.
4 Great God! what do I see and hear!
The end of things created!
The Judge of mankind doth appear,
On clouds of glory seated:
Beneath his cross I view the day
When heaven and earth shall pass away,
And thus prepare to meet him.
Video
Charles Wesley Hymns You've never Heard of, but you should know #11
Meaning & Inspiration
Charles Wesley's "Great God! What Do I See And Hear!" stands as a potent testament to theological conviction, a powerful call to introspection released as part of the collection *Charles Wesley Hymns You've Never Heard Of, But You Should Know* on September 26, 2022. While the musical arrangement of this particular release is not the focus here, the enduring strength of Wesley's words transcends melody, offering a profound meditation on eschatology, the doctrine of last things. The hymn grapples directly with the solemnity of Christ's second coming and the universal judgment that will follow, a theme deeply rooted in Scripture.
The genesis of this hymn lies in Wesley's fervent understanding of Christian prophecy. He masterfully captures the awe and terror described in biblical accounts of the end times, drawing heavily from passages like Revelation 1:7, which foretells Christ's return, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, describing the resurrection of believers and their ascent to meet the Lord. The opening stanza immediately plunges the reader into the profound realization of creation's ultimate purpose being fulfilled, with the "Judge of mankind" appearing on "clouds of glory." This imagery echoes the Ascension accounts in Acts 1:9-11 and the prophetic visions of Daniel 7:13. The chilling summons of the trumpet, a recurring motif in biblical prophecy, particularly in 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, signifies the resurrection of the dead. Wesley’s poignant plea, "Prepare, my soul, to meet him," encapsulates the hymn's central exhortation: personal readiness for this momentous event.
The second stanza shifts to a hopeful perspective, addressing the resurrection of the faithful. Wesley speaks of "the dead in Christ" arising first, aligning with the promise of resurrection for believers articulated in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. The joy and lack of "gloomy fears" experienced by these souls are a direct reflection of the peace that surpasses understanding found in Christ, as described in Philippians 4:7. The "eternal day" shed by His presence is a beautiful metaphor for the light and glory of God's presence, which illuminates the eternal dwelling described in Revelation 21:23. This section emphasizes the secure hope and jubilant anticipation that characterize the lives of those who are truly prepared.
In stark contrast, the third stanza confronts the fate of the ungodly. Wesley vividly portrays their "guilty fears" and the "wrath prevailing," a stark depiction of divine judgment. The futility of their tears and sighs underscores the irreversible nature of the judgment and the closing of the "day of grace," a concept that resonates with passages like Hebrews 9:27, which speaks of the certainty of judgment after death. Their unpreparedness and trembling before the throne of God paint a somber picture, a sober reminder of the spiritual state that awaits those who have not accepted Christ’s offer of salvation.
The final stanza circles back to the initial awe-inspired declaration, but with a crucial addition: the personal appropriation of faith. Wesley, placing himself "Beneath his cross," finds solace and preparedness not in his own merit but in the sacrifice of Christ. This stanza is the theological core of the hymn, linking the final judgment directly to the redemptive work on the cross. It powerfully asserts that it is through the acceptance of Christ's atoning sacrifice that one can face the "day when heaven and earth shall pass away" with confidence and peace. This profound theological statement echoes John 3:16 and the broader message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, highlighting that true preparation for eternity is found in our relationship with Him. The hymn, therefore, serves not only as a prophecy of future events but as a timeless invitation to embrace the hope and assurance offered through Christ's sacrifice, urging every soul to prepare for that glorious, and for some, terrifying, encounter.