Where in rayless outer gloom
dead souls lie as in a tomb,
Save us, Holy JESU.
From the black, the dull despair
Ruin'd men and angels share,
From the dread companions there,
Save us Holy JESU.
From the unknown agonies,
Of the soul that helpless lies,
From the worm that never dies,
Save us, Holy JESU.
From the lusts that none can tame,
from the fierce mysterious flame,
From the everlasting shame,
Save us, Holy JESU.
It is near impossible to write lyrically about the depths of the foulness of hell. These four stanza's could seem trite, but sung in the light of Scripture's depths how do we sing of what we have been saved from? How do we lift our voices in humble pleas for salvation without seeming like the self-content religious bigots? How can we together sing of the rightness of God's justice and coming judgement?
Maybe it is too hard this side of eternity - but the tone of this litany, this prayer, is right and I mourn the total absence of such content in the songs I've sung in the 20 or so years of being a son of the King (never mind the preceding years of being a devout servant in a church). What is certain is that those whose hope is in "Holy Jesu", the Risen and Ascended Saviour, Lord and King will one day sing of His victory over evil in consigning it to eternal destruction and judgement.
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Revelation 19:1-4
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