JESUS CHRIST >> SECOND ADVENT
SDAH 218
When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: When He Cometh
Inspired by Malachi 3:17, this tender hymn by William O. Cushing reminds us that God’s people are His precious jewels, to be gathered at Christ’s return. The tune JEWELS by George F. Root is gentle, singable, and perfect for children and adults alike. May we sing this with childlike faith, rejoicing that we are His treasured ones.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
These words were written in 1866 by William Orcutt Crushing (1823-1903; see SDAH 208), and are based on the Old Testament promise: “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels” (Mal. 3:17). Crushing also wrote SDAH 208, “There’ll Be No Dark Valley”; 542, “Hiding in Thee”; and 529, “Under His Wings.”
The tune, sometimes called JEWELS, was composed for these words by George Frederick Root (1820-1895; see SDAH 88). He also composed SDAH 88, VARINA; 366, unnamed; and 692, QUAM DILLECTA.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Stanza:
1 – Malachi 3:17
Text
1
When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Refrain
Like the stars of the morning,
His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.
2
He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.
3
Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Mal 3:17
Author
William O. Cushing (1823-1902)
Year Published
1866
Metrical Number
8.6.8.5.Ref.
Composer
George F. Root (1820-1895)
Recommended Reading
The hymn was written as a young man who was named William Orcutt Cushing. Working in a Sunday school with young children, this future minister who was born in Hingham, Massachusetts found inspiration from the words in Malachi 3:17, “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” He collaborated with the much celebrated musician, George Frederick Root, to compose the tune for this hymn. Today, the hymn tune is widely called “Jewels.”
