Lyrics
Watch, ye saints, with eyelids waking;
Lo! The powers of heaven are shaking;
Keep your lamps all trimmed an burning,
Ready for your Lord’s returning.
Refrain
Lo! He comes, lo! Jesus comes;
Lo! He come, He comes all glorious!
Jesus comes to reign victorious,
Lo! He comes, yes, Jesus comes.
Lo! the promise of your Savior,
Pardoned sin and purchased favor,
Blood-washed robes and crowns of glory;
Haste to tell redemption’s story.
Kingdoms at their base are crumbling,
Hark! His chariot wheels are rumbling;
Tell, O tell of grace abounding,
While the seventh trump is sounding.
Nations wane, though proud and stately;
Christ His kingdom hasteneth greatly;
Earth her latest pangs is summing;
Shout, ye saints, your Lord is coming.
Sinners, come, while Christ is pleading;
Now for you He’s interceding;
Haste, ere grace and time diminished
Shall proclaim the mystery finished
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Watch Ye Saints” is a hymn of vigilance shaped by the promised return of Christ. Lamps, a sounding trumpet, shaking powers, and a victorious king create a sense of expectation. Yet its message is not passive waiting. The saints are urged to remain ready, announce redemption, and call sinners to Christ while grace is offered. The refrain keeps the focus on Jesus coming to reign in glory.
The opening image closely follows Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, where trimmed lamps represent readiness for the bridegroom’s arrival. The trumpet and Christ’s coming also recall 1 Thessalonians 4:16, while the proclamation of his kingdom aligns with Revelation 11:15. These biblical images give the hymn both warning and hope: earthly kingdoms may fail, but Christ’s reign is presented as certain. Readiness therefore includes watchfulness, confidence in pardon, and active witness to the story of redemption.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus’ parable uses prepared lamps to teach watchfulness for his coming.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 The passage describes the Lord’s descent with the trumpet of God.
- Revelation 11:15 The seventh trumpet announces the everlasting reign of Christ.