CHRISTIAN LIFE >> Watchfulness
SDAH 595
Let every lamp be burning bright,
The darkest hour is nearing;
The darkest hour of earth’s long night,
Before the Lord’s appearing.
Text
1
Let every lamp be burning bright,
The darkest hour is nearing;
The darkest hour of earth’s long night,
Before the Lord’s appearing.
Refrain
Then trim your lamps, my brethren dear,
Then trim your lamps with godly fear;
The Master’s coming draweth near,
Let every lamp be burning.
2
Though thousands calmly slumber on,
The last great message spurring,
We’ll rest our living faith upon
His promise of returning.
3
His word our lamp, His truth our guide,
We cannot be mistaken;
Though dangers rise on every side,
We shall not be forsaken.
4
Then let good works with faith appear,
To help the world around us;
Obedience bring the blessing near
When faith has firmly bound us.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Matt 25:6 (b) Matt 25:5 (c) Ps 119:105; Heb 13:5 (d) Matt 5:16 (r) Matt 25:7
Author
Franklin E. Belden (1858-1945)
Year Published
1886
Hymn Tune
DILIGENCE
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.Ref.
Composer
F.E. Belden
Get the hymn sheet in other keys here
Let Every Lamp Be Burning: The Hymn of the Five Wise Virgins
‘The tarrying of the Bridegroom,’ ‘the midnight cry,’ ‘trim your lamps,’ are just a few of the common bywords among many Adventist circles that stemmed out from these very passages. In fact, these are some of the key phrases that symbolized the mighty leading of God as the early Adventists searched the answer for why Christ did not come in 1843 and 1844.
Though discouraged, love for the Savior kept the Advent people searching for light, and God answered their prayers. They were directed to Jesus in the sanctuary above. They realized that on October 22, 1844, Jesus entered into His wedding–not on earth, but in the most holy place in heaven.
This was what the midnight cry really meant!
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Notes
Get to know the hymns a little deeper with the SDA Hymnal Companion. Use our song leader’s notes to engage your congregation in singing with understanding. Even better, involve kids in learning this hymn with our homeschooling materials.
Because we receive His Spirit, we can shine with His light wherever we go and whatever we may face. Then let us take the time to receive His oil through personal prayer and Bible study, communing with Him no matter what trials we may face. (Lesson 4, 3rd Quarter 2022 -Tuesday, Jesus’ Last Words, 7/19/2022)
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