Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying
Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
Wake, awake, for night is flying,”
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
“Awake, Jerusalem, at last!”
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!
The Bridegroom comes; awake,
Your lamps with gladness take; Alleluia!
And for His marriage feast prepare,
For you must go to meet Him there.”
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom:
For her Lord comes down all glorious,
The Strong in grace, in truth Victorious,
Her Star is ris’n, her Light is come!
Ah, come, Thou blessed Lord,
O Jesus, Son of God, Alleluia!
We follow till the halls we see
Where Thou hast bid us sup with Thee.
Now let all the heav’ns adore Thee,
And men and angels sing before Thee,
With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
Of angels round Thy dazzling throne;
Nor eye hath seen, nor ear
Hath yet attained to hear
What there is ours;
But we rejoice, and sing to Thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.
Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878)
IN THIS HYMN, Philipp Nicolai calls us to be prepared for the imminent return of Christ, the Bridegroom. It was natural that Nicolai was eager for Christ’s return. He was the pastor in Unna, Germany, when an awful plague hit the town (1597–1598). He watched and often participated in the burial of friends and parishioners each day. It was during this difficult time that he wrote this hymn.
He looked forward to a day when disease and death would be past, when rejoicing and feasting would carry the day. Christ had given him an eternal perspective on this present life.
Whether we are now prospering or suffering, we need Philipp Nicolai’s perspective. It will awaken us from lethargy when times are good; it will lift us from despair when everything looks dark. “Wake, awake, for night is flying!”
At midnight they were roused by the shout, “Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!”. . . Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.
Matthew 25:6, 10
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