CHRISTIAN CHURCH >> Mission of the church
SDAH 368
Watchman, blow the gospel trumpet,
Every soul a warning give;
Whosoever hears the message
May repent, and, turn and live.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Watchman, Blow the Gospel Trumpet
Rooted in the solemn call of Ezekiel 33, Watchman, Blow the Gospel Trumpet urges every believer—especially those entrusted with spiritual leadership—to faithfully sound the alarm of salvation. Written by H.L. Gilmour and set to music by gospel tune writer William J. Kirkpatrick, the hymn is a charge to proclaim Christ’s message without delay. Like the watchmen on the city walls, we are called to warn, plead, and point souls to safety in Jesus. In a world growing numb to truth, may we not be silent when eternity is at stake.
📖 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 by H.L. Gilmour, who flourished in the late nineteenth century, but nothing more is known of him. The hymn emphasizes the responsibility of every Christian in general and every minister in particular. The author borrows the figure of a watchman from the prophet Ezekiel: “If the people of the land take a man of their coast, and set him for their watchman; if when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head… but he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul” (Eze.33:2-5).
The tune, unnamed like so many from this composer, was written by William James KirkPatrick (1838- 1921; see Biographies).
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Watchman, blow the gospel trumpet,
Every soul a warning give;
Whosoever hears the message
May repent, and, turn and live.
Refrain
Blow the trumpet, trusty watchman,
Blow it loud o’er land and sea;
God commissions, sound the message!
Every captive may be free.
2
Sound it loud oér every hilltop,
Gloomy shade and sunny plain;
Ocean depths repeat the message,
Full salvation’s glad refrain.
3
Sound it in the hedge and highway,
Earth’s dark spots where exiles roam;
Let it tell all things are ready,
Father waits to welcome home.
4
Sound it for the heavy laden,
Weary, longing to be free;
Sound a Savior’s invitation,
Sweetly saying, “Come to me.”
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Eze 33:2-4 (c) Luke 14:23, 17 (d) Matt 11:28 (r) Isa 61:1
Author
H.L. Gilmour
Year Published
1894
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.Ref.
Composer
William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)
