1 God is working his purpose out
As year succeeds to year:
God is working his purpose out,
And the time is drawing near;
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

2 From utmost east to utmost west,
Wherever foot has trod,
By the mouth of many messengers
Goes forth the voice of God;
Give ear to me, ye continents,
You isles, give ear to me,
That the earth may be filled
with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

3 March we forth in the strength of God,
With the banner of Christ unfurled,
That the light of the glorious gospel of truth
May shine throughout the world:
Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin
To set their captives free,
That the earth may be filled
with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

4 All we can do is worthless toil
Unless God blesses the deed;
Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
Till God gives life to the seed;
Yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.