585. For all the saints, who from their labours rest

Author: William W How 1823-97

For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
who to the world by faith their Lord confessed,
your name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

2. You were their rock, their fortress and their might;
you, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight,
and in the darkness their unfailing light:

3. O may your soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold:

4. One holy people, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine:
all, one in you, in praise and love combine:

5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
faintly we hear the distant triumph-song;
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong:

6. The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
the peaceful calm of paradise the blessed:

7. But look! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way:

8. From earth’s wide bounds, from dawn to setting sun,
through gates of pearl they stream, their victory won,
singing the praise of God the Three-in-One: