Advent Songs: Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding

Day 13 | Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding

Scripture to Ponder: Mark 10:35-52

I was first introduced to this song by High Street Hymns, whose 2011 Christmas album One Winter’s Night is one of my favorites. I have included the 5th century text as well as the additional lyrics by Alex Mejias and Rashad Lowery. The original author beautiful weaves themes from Christ’s First and Second advents. Though the forms of each appearing share little in common, they are both frightful and wonderful. Based on what he accomplished in the years following his first advent, he will shield those who believe with mercy at his second.

Rashad Lowery’s verse calls our attention to Mark 10, where James and John request to be Jesus’ right hand men in the coming Kingdom. Jesus responds with this rebuke, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Though we may feel internally the sting of guilt, the Lamb’s ransom is wholly sufficient to stay God’s wrath. Like the blind man at Jericho, we cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” By the cross, God’s mercy is granted through Jesus’ atonement and we will celebrate with him for all eternity.

Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding | Anonymous Author + High Street Hymns & Rashad Lowery
5th Century; 2011

Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”

Wakened by the solemn warning
From earth’s bondage let us rise
Christ, our sun, all sloth dispelling
Shines upon the morning skies

See, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav'n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all, to be forgiv'n.

So, when next he comes in glory
And the world is wrapped in fear,
He will shield us with his mercy
And with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, dominion
To the Father and the Son
With the ever-living Spirit
While eternal ages run!

[Hear our cries
Our hope is in you
Hear our cries we pray
*High Street Hymns]

[Look in the sky! It’s a bird its a plane,
No! it’s the Lamb that was slain!
So we cry out loud with anticipation
For our ransom was paid
In full, yet my heart full of sorrow
Things I’ve done today that I’ll
Be ashamed of tomorrow,
May I borrow a sleeve to cry?
I feel so full of grief inside, I sigh
Relieved only believing that for me He died
See Jesus I, only hope in you to lead the blind
So they can seek and find
You the root beneath the vine
Can’t wait till you arrive so we can drink the wine
*Rashad Lowery]

Hear our cries
Our hope is in you
Hear our cries we pray

from One Winter's Night, released November 14, 2011
Words: 5th Century Latin Text; Rashad Lowery
Music: Alex Mejias
© 2011 Alex Mejias Music. Shad E Music.