When He Cometh

By W. O. Cushing

Lyrics

1. When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own:

Refrain:
Like the stars of the morning,
His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.

2. He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.

3. Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Bible Reference

Malachi 3:17

About This Hymn

"When He Cometh" also knowned as "Jewels" is a tender children’s hymn written by American pastor and hymn writer William Orcutt Cushing in 1856. It was inspired by the imagery in Malachi 3:17, where God promises to treasure His faithful people as jewels.

The hymn’s simple, vivid language compares believers, especially children to precious gems that Christ will gather when He returns. Its theme of Christ’s second coming is expressed not with fear or solemnity, but with the warmth and delight of belonging to the Savior.

The tune most commonly associated with the hymn is Jewels, composed by George F. Root, whose lilting melody captures the gentle yet joyful tone of the text. "When He Cometh" has remained a staple in children’s hymnals and Sunday school repertoires for more than a century, often remembered by its refrain, “They are jewels, precious jewels.”