Today’s hymn about the life to come is from the great Issac Watts (1674-1748), an English Nonconformist minister and the father of English hymnody. The text has been arranged to fit other tunes, which may be more commonly sung than this one judging by what’s available on YouTube. The video above is a piano recording for the tune “Bethlehem” by German musician and clergyman Gottfried Wilhelm Fink (1783-1846).

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands . . .” (Rev. 7:9 ESV)

1 How bright these glorious spirits shine!
Whence all their white array?
How came they to the blissful seats
of everlasting day?
Lo! these are they from suff’rings great
who came to realms of light!
and in the blood of Christ have washed
those robes which shine so bright.

2 Now, with triumphal palms, they stand
before the throne on high,
and serve the God they love, amidst
the glories of the sky.
His presence fills each heart with joy,
tunes ev’ry mouth to sing:
by day, by night, the sacred courts
with glad hosannas ring.

3 Hunger and thirst are felt no more,
nor suns with scorching ray;
God is their sun, whose cheering beams
diffuse eternal day.
The Lamb which dwells amidst the throne
shall o’er them still preside,
feed them with nourishment divine,
and all their footsteps guide.

4 ‘Mong pastures green he’ll lead his flock
where living streams appear;
and God the Lord from ev’ry eye
shall wipe off ev’ry tear.
To him who sits upon the throne,
the God whom we adore,
and to the Lamb that once was slain,
be glory evermore!