And will the Judge Descend
And will the Judge descend
And will the Judge Descend is a hymn text by John Christian Jacobi (1722) in L.M. meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in tlh 610. Sung to ERFURT.
The hymn expresses Lutheran theology of the Last Judgment and divine justice, preparing believers for Christ's return through awareness of accountability. It reflects the Law's role in driving sinners to repentance while maintaining hope in Christ's mercy.
History & Background
Originally written in German by Johann Christian Jacobi in early 18th century, this eschatological hymn was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in her influential collection of German hymn translations. It appeared in The Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (TLH) as hymn 610.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 610
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by John Christian Jacobi in 1722, this hymn anchors Lutheran Advent theology in the paradox of divine justice and mercy, preparing believers for accountability through awareness of Christ's gracious judgment.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens proclamation of the Last Judgment by using the Law's severity to drive sinners toward repentance, while pointing implicitly to Christ as the merciful Judge who offers grace rather than condemnation.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Christ’s Return to Judgment Augsburg Confession
Background Research
TLH 610. Philip Doddridge. Not in Doddridge's manuscripts; first published by Job Orton in Hymns (1755), no. 189, in seven stanzas headed "The final Sentence, and Misery of the Wicked" on Matt 25:41 ("Depart from me, ye cursed"). Julian: the full text is rarely printed, and the most popular cento uses st. 1, 4, 5, 6; it is especially popular in America. Hymnary's title for it is "The Warning". In 308 hymnals. Tunes SOUTHWELL (Daman), ST. BRIDE. A judgment hymn among TLH's Last Things hymns. See r1164 (Doddridge).
Overview
Philip Doddridge's Judgment hymn on Matt 25:41, a model of Law-then-Gospel preaching in verse. Stanzas 1-3 form one long question: will the Judge come, will the dead rise with no one escaping his eyes, and will the dread sentence sound, 'Depart from Me, accursed'? How will my heart endure that day (st. 4)? But before the trumpet, the Gospel brings joyful news (st. 5): 'Ye sinners, seek His grace / Whose wrath ye cannot bear; / Fly to the shelter of His cross' (st. 6).
Central theme: The Judge's dreadful sentence preached so that sinners may flee now to the shelter of his cross
Structure
Six short-meter quatrains. One long question (1-3); my heart's terror (4); the Gospel's interruption (5); the invitation to the cross (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'not a single soul escape'; 'Depart from Me, accursed, / To everlasting flame… Where mercy never came'; 'terrors of that Day' (1-4). Gospel: 'the Gospel's cheering sound'; 'joyful tidings'; 'Fly to the shelter of His cross / And find salvation there' (5-6).
Confessional Connections
Matt 25:41 (TLH's text): 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.' The hymn follows the Lutheran order of preaching, first terrifying consciences with the Law and then comforting them with the Gospel (Ap XII; FC V). St. 3 gives the true doctrine that hell was 'For rebel angels first prepared'; it was not created for humans, since God 'desires all people to be saved' (FC XI: the cause of damnation is in man, not God). St. 5: 'But ere that trumpet shakes' means the time of grace is now. St. 6 directs sinners not to their own repentance but to 'the shelter of His cross' (Rom 5:9; AC IV).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Last Sundays of the Church Year; Advent; Lent; preaching on the Last Judgment.
Historical Notes
Doddridge (1702-1751), Independent minister at Northampton. The hymn appeared posthumously in Hymns Founded on Various Texts (1755), edited by Job Orton. TLH abridges it.
About the Tune
SOUTHWELL (William Daman's Psalter, 1579).
Scripture References
Matt 25:41 Acts 17:31 John 5:28-29 Heb 4:13 2 Pet 2:4 Jude 6 Rev 20:11 Rev 6:17 Mal 3:2 Isa 52:7 Luke 2:10 Isa 55:6-7 Rom 5:9 1 Thess 1:10 Ps 91:1-2 Gal 6:14
Stanza by Stanza
Will the Judge really come down, and must the dead rise, with not one soul escaping his all-seeing eyes?
'He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world… by a man whom he has appointed' (Acts 17:31). 'No creature is hidden from his sight' (Heb 4:13).
- Scripture
- Acts 17:31, John 5:28-29, Heb 4:13
- Imagery & language
- Judge descends; dead arise; no escape; all-discerning eyes.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: universal judgment.
- Connection to previous
- No escape.
And will this dreadful sentence sound from his righteous lips and spread black despair through the great guilty crowd:
'The great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?' (Rev 6:17).
- Scripture
- Rev 6:17, Rom 2:5
- Imagery & language
- Righteous lips; dread sentence; guilty throng; despair.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: the sentence.
- Connection to previous
- The sentence.
"Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, first prepared for the rebel angels, where mercy never came"?
'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels' (Matt 25:41). 'God did not spare angels when they sinned' (2 Pet 2:4). FC XI.
- Scripture
- Matt 25:41, 2 Pet 2:4, Jude 6
- Imagery & language
- Depart, accursed; everlasting flame; rebel angels; no mercy.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: eternal condemnation.
- Connection to previous
- Depart from Me.
How will my heart endure the terrors of that Day, when earth and heaven shrink away in astonishment from his face?
'From his presence earth and sky fled away' (Rev 20:11). 'Who can endure the day of his coming?' (Mal 3:2).
- Scripture
- Rev 20:11, Mal 3:2
- Imagery & language
- My heart; terrors; earth and heaven shrink.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: personal terror.
- Connection to previous
- How endure?
But before that trumpet shakes the homes of the dead, listen to the joyful news spreading from the Gospel's cheering sound:
'How beautiful… the feet of him who brings good news' (Isa 52:7). 'I bring you good news of great joy' (Luke 2:10). 'Now is the day of salvation' (2 Cor 6:2).
- Scripture
- Isa 52:7, Luke 2:10, 2 Cor 6:2
- Imagery & language
- Before the trumpet; Gospel's sound; joyful tidings.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the turn.
- Connection to previous
- The Gospel sounds.
You sinners, seek the grace of the one whose wrath you cannot bear; run to the shelter of his cross and find salvation there.
'Seek the LORD while he may be found… he will abundantly pardon' (Isa 55:6-7). 'We shall be saved by him from the wrath of God' (Rom 5:9). 'Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come' (1 Thess 1:10).
- Scripture
- Isa 55:6-7, Rom 5:9, 1 Thess 1:10, Ps 91:1-2, Gal 6:14
- Imagery & language
- Seek grace; wrath unbearable; shelter of the cross; salvation.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: refuge in the cross.
- Connection to previous
- Fly to the cross.
Themes
Last Judgment Christ's return Repentance Divine justice Eschatology