Lyrics
Oh, when shall I see Jesus
and reign with Him above,
And shall hear the trumpet sound
in that morning?
And from the flowing fountain drink
everlasting love,
And shall hear the trumpet sound
in that morning.
O, shout, glory!
For I shall mount above the skies,
When I hear the trumpet sound
in that morning.
Gird on the gospel armour
Of faith and hope and love,
And you'll hear the trumpet sound
in that morning.
And when the combat's ended
He'll carry you above,
And you'll hear the trumpet sound
in that morning.
Our ears shall hear the transport
the host of heaven sing,
And shall hear the trumpet sound
in that morning.
Our tongues shall chant the glories
of our immortal King,
And shall hear the trumpet sound
in that morning.
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Meaning & Inspiration
O When Shall I See Jesus expresses longing for the day Christ is seen and the faithful are gathered into his presence. The trumpet sounding in the morning gives the hymn an expectant center, linking resurrection hope with joyful praise. Images of rising above the skies, drinking from a flowing fountain, and hearing the hosts of heaven sing present eternal life as both communion with Christ and participation in heavenly worship. The recurring shout of glory answers that hope with celebration.
The hymn also places present discipleship beside future expectation. Its call to put on the gospel armor of faith, hope, and love portrays Christian life as a conflict that requires endurance. The promised end of that combat is not human achievement but Christ carrying his people above. The final stanza widens the scene from individual hope to a gathered chorus honoring the immortal King. Through repetition of the trumpet refrain, the song keeps its attention on the return of Christ, resurrection, and the joy of worship in the life to come.
Related Scripture
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Christ descends with the trumpet of God, and the faithful are gathered to meet him.
- Ephesians 6:13-17 The hymn echoes the call from Paul to put on spiritual armor for faithful endurance.
- Revelation 22:1-5 The passage joins the river of life with the servants of God reigning in his presence.