The Night Watchman

The Night Watchman

The Night Watchman sits upon the wall

High enough to see the city, all

Far enough to view her all around

Close enough to blow the trumpet sound



His work is set by God alone

Who sits enthroned o’er all the world

He is above all His created work

Yet close enough to see every deed



The watchman has his place from God

To watch over those that sleep at night

He gets his rest while the sun is hot

His rest complete, watching over the night



The moon and starts to brighten his task

His friends in bed, sleep through the night

His time is spent in his heavenly call

For the enemy waits hoping for his fall



But God is true and keeps him awake

He walks about to the city’s gates

He looks afar over all the land

Assured that all is well, he stands



His eyes wide open, no place for sleep

His ears too listen for the slightest sound

For the city rests trusting in his guard

But the dangers lurk for the enemies near



The day times bright and the enemy knows

His work must be where the darkness holds

All the people are in their beds asleep

His opportunity waits for vigilance to fail



Be on your guard, your soul he wants

A treasure for him is your body’s use

With him inside ruling over you, his slave

His work is complete with you in the grave



So watchman, watchman what of the night

The morning comes, your freedom in sight

Your rest awaits, your shadows must flee

The dawn your delight, the sun you do see



The peace of the city is your beckon call

Your work so important as you watch from the wall

You’re not alone for the wall is quite long

Your company all awake to keep their charge



So watchman, watchman what of the night

You vigil in moonlight as you watch over our site

The city does slumber in vulnerable sleep

Your charge so important, you awake while we rest



For man without God knows not the light

In daytime he’s still walking in continual night

He knows not the vigil to keep his own soul

His sins are a doorway, no watchman does guard



His soul so vulnerable to the enemies

He knows not the danger that transgression brings

He stumbles about as he walks in the day

The night comes, same thing, he knows not the way



His end comes early, lest he change his ways

For his house is open to whatever come may

No guard at the doorpost to protect his store

The robber comes daily from he knows not where



Be not like this blind man that’s captured by sin

Be vigilant for your life ends not at the grave

Accounts must be given for each day’s tasks

And lovers of pleasure will have nothing that lasts



Stand on the vanguard as watchmen of the night

God calls all to duty for the soul is at stake

Some go to perdition, some eternal life

For one day there is Judgment over every detail



Have peace with your maker, the Lord Jesus Christ

God’s Son yet Creator and Righteous Judge on that Day

When souls of the faithful give account to Him

And souls of the faithless God the Father will Judge



The matters concluded when all judgment is past

The sheep on the right hand, the goats on the left

Best follow the good Shepherd of every righteous soul

For the unbelieving and rebellious, woe, woe, woe!