"Hearken to the Solemn Voice"

Lyricist Charles Wesley wrote “Hearken to the Solemn Voice” to be published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. Wesley is most noted as the founder of the Methodist denomination that broke off from the Anglican Church of England. “Hearken to the Solemn Voice” encourages Christians to be hopeful amid their dire circumstances.

James Nares (1715-1783) set the lyrics of “Hearken to the Solemn Voice” to music using his “Amsterdam” first published in The Foundery Collection, 1742. Nares was born in Middlesex, England and moved to Oxford with his family. He started his musical career as a chorister, and became an organist, working for several churches in England. He was awarded a prize due to his “glee to all lovers of harmony.” Charles Wesley’s words fit Nares’ tune perfectly.

“Hearken to the Solemn Voice”

Hearken to the solemn voice, the awful midnight cry;
Waiting souls, rejoice, rejoice, and see the Bridegroom nigh;
Lo! He comes to keep His Word, light and joy His looks impart;
Go ye forth to meet your Lord, and meet Him in your heart.

Ye who faint beneath the load of sin, your heads lift up;
See your great redeeming God, He comes, and bids you hope:
In the midnight of your grief, Jesus doth His mourners cheer;
Lo! He brings you sure relief; believe, and feel Him here.

Ye whose loins are girt, stand forth! Whose lamps are burning bright,
Worthy, in your Savior’s worth, to walk with Him in white:
Jesus bids your hearts be clean, bids you all His promise prove;
Jesus comes to cast out sin, and perfect you in love.

Wait we all in patient hope, till Christ, the Judge, shall come,
We shall soon be all caught up to meet the general doom:
In an hour to us unknown, as a thief in deepest night,
Christ shall suddenly come down, with all His saints in light.

Happy he whom Christ shall find watching to see Him come;
Him the Judge of all mankind shall bear triumphant home:
Who can answer to His Word? Which of you dares meet His day?
“Rise, and come to judgment!”—Lord, we rise, and come away.

While the title of “Hearken to the Solemn Voice” seems an admonishment to Christians, the lyrical content of the song is much more enlightening, hopeful, and “gleeful” toward those who believe in Christ as their Savior. This is a strong attitude of Charles Wesley’s Methodist movement—to be hopeful.

“Hearken to the Solemn Voice”

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