1. Rise, my soul, to watch and pray,
From thy sleep awaken;
Be not by the evil day
Unawares o’ertaken.
For the foe, well we know,
Oft his harvest reapeth,
While the Christian sleepeth.

2. Watch against the devil’s snares
Lest asleep he find thee;
For indeed no pains he spares
To deceive and blind thee.
Satan’s prey oft are they
Who secure are sleeping
And no watch are keeping.

3. Watch! Let not the wicked world
With its power defeat thee.
Watch lest with her pomp unfurled
She betray and cheat thee.
Watch and see lest there be
Faithless friends to charm thee,
Who but seek to harm thee.

4. Watch against thyself, my soul,
Lest with grace thou trifle;
Let not self thy thoughts control
Nor God’s mercy stifle.
Pride and sin lurk within
All thy hopes to scatter;
Heed not when they flatter.

5. But while watching, also pray
To the Lord unceasing,
He will free thee, be thy stay.
Strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless in distress
And let nothing swerve me
From the will to serve Thee.

6. Therefore let us watch and pray,
Knowing He will hear us
As we see from day to day
Dangers ever near us,
And the end doth impend—
Our redemption neareth
When the Lord appeareth.