The Angel Comes, He Comes to Reap

The an­gel comes

he comes to reap

The har­vest of the Lord!

O’er all the earth with fa­tal sweep

Wide waves his flam­ing sword.

And who are they

in sheaves to bide

The fire of ven­geance bound?

The tares

whose rank lu­xu­ri­ant pride

Choked the fair crop around.

And who are they

re­served in store

God’s trea­sure-house to fill?

The wheat

a hun­dred-fold that bore

Amid sur­round­ing ill.

O King of Mer­cy! grant us pow­er

Thy fie­ry wrath to flee!

In Thy de­stroy­ing an­gel’s hour

O ga­ther us to Thee!