Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1791)/Watching

HYMN XX. WATCHING.

At every tempter's first essay, Be sure to watch, be sure to pray; For this great requisite the Lord Has strongly urg'd upon record.

Yea this he strongly urg'd to all, A warning common as his call; Then who can his behest revere, And not obey in heed and fear?

Had the good man been on his guard, His doors and windows duly barr'd, He wou'd not, by the Lord advis'd, Have lost his all, and been surpriz'd.

Had this command been fully weigh'd, Peter his Lord had not betray'd; But spite of all his mighty boast, He fail'd, and slept upon his post.

Sleep not — but watch the chamber well, By sleeping Holofernes fell; And Jael's memorable nail, Did o'er a sleeping king prevail.

"Behold, I come" — come quickly then, Thou Saviour of the souls of men; For pray'r and hymns are mine employ, Who long for ever-wakeful joy.

As Karina Williamson notes: "The leading signification of Watching here is the Vigil, originally a nocturnal service of prayer held before certain Church festivals, esp. Easter <...>. But three other senses are embraced in the hymn: keeping alert against temptation (lines 1—2); guarding against enemies (9—12, 18— 20); and looking forward to (12—22)".