Who are these, like stars appearing,

These before God’s throne who stand?

Each a golden crown is wearing—

Who are all this glorious band?

Hallelujah, hark! they sing,

Praising loud their heavenly King.

Who are these, who palms are clasping,

Like a conqueror, in their hand,

When he sees his foeman gasping,

Stretch’d before him in the sand?

What the combat, who the foes,

Whence this victory arose?

Who are these, in dazzling brightness,

Cloth’d in God’s own righteousness,

These, whose robes of purest whiteness

Shall their lustre still possess,

Still untouch’d by Time’s rude hand?

Whence come all this glorious band?

These are they who have contended

For their Saviour’s honour long,

Wrestling on till life was ended,

Following not the sinful throng:

These, who well the fight sustain’d,

Victory through the Lamb have gain’d.

These are they whose hearts were riven,

Sore with woe and anguish tried,

Who in prayer full oft have striven

With the God they magnified:

Now their painful conflict’s o’er;

God has bid them weep no more.

Branches of that stock that sav’d them,

Where both grace and health unite,

In the Lamb’s pure blood they lav’d them,

Wash’d their robes and made them white:

Now adorn’d with holiness,

Shine they in their festal-dress.

These, th’ Almighty contemplating,

Here as priests before Him stand,

Soul and body always waiting,

Day and night, at his command.

Now in God’s most holy place

Thus they stand before his face.

As the hart at noon-tide panteth

For the brooks of water clear,

For the life-spring Jesus granteth

These have groan’d with many a tear:

Now their thirst is satisfied,

For they are by Jesus’ side.

Lo! the Lamb Himself now feeds them

On Mount Sion’s pastures fair;

From his central throne He leads them

To the living fountains there:

Lamb and Shepherd! Good Supreme!

Free he gives the cooling stream.

Heavenward now my hands extending,

Jesus, Lord, to Thee I pray;

Now in prayer my knees I’m bending,

Since on earth I still must stay,

In thy Church still wage my war—

Drive, good Lord! my foes afar.

In the strife the victory lend me

Over hell, the world, and sin;

With thy grace, O Lord, defend me,

When temptation’s storms begin:

All my dangers bear me through,

Lord, my Rock, my Saviour true!

Oh that, Lord, with Thee connected

Like a living branch I grew!

Make me one of thine elected,

Let me here be born anew;

Keep from stain my garments free,

Guard me from hypocrisy.

With the just, who thee resemble,

Let, O Lord, my lot be cast;

Far from all that makes me tremble,

Let thy faithful child at last

Make thy pledged reward his own,

Ever dwelling near thy throne.

With that holy throng uniting,

Then what rapture shall be mine!

In the Sun’s bright beams delighting,

I too like the stars shall shine:

Amen! glory be to Thee,

Thanks and praise eternally!