50. God the Lord, the King Almighty

Author: Christopher Idle

God the Lord, the king almighty,
calls the earth from east to west;
shining out from Zion’s splendour,
city loveliest and best,
comes our God! He breaks the silence,
robed in burning majesty:
‘Gather all my covenant people,
bound by sacrifice to me.

2. ‘Hear me testify against you;
listen, Israel, as I speak:
I do not require your offerings,
sacrifice I do not seek.
Mountain birds and meadow creatures,
cattle on a thousand hills,
all the beasts are my possession,
moving as their maker wills.’

3. God who owns the whole creation
needs no gift, no food, no house:
bring to him your heart’s thanksgiving;
God most High will hear your vows.
Trust him in the day of trouble,
call to him who will redeem;
God will be your strong deliverer,
his renown your daily theme.

4. Lies increase and evil prospers;
God is silent while men say,
‘He has gone-let us forget him!’
thinking he is false as they.
But his word will judge or save us;
let us come before his throne,
giving thanks, receiving mercy:
God’s salvation now made known.