571. Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round

1 Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round
of circling planets singing on their way,
guide of the nations from the night profound
into the glory of the perfect day:
rule in our hearts, that we may live ever new,
guided and strengthened and upheld by you.

2 We are your own, the children of your love,
as dearly loved as your beloved Son;
descend, O Holy Spirit, like a dove,
and rule our hearts, that we may be as one:
as one with you, to whom we ever tend;
as one with Christ, our Saviour and our friend.

3 We would be one in hatred of all wrong,
one in our love of all things kind and fair,
one with the joy that finds a voice in song
one with the grief that trembles into prayer,
one in the power that makes your children free
to follow truth, and thus in you to be.

4 O clothe us with your heavenly armour, Lord,
your trusty shield and sword of love be ours;
our inspiration be your constant word;
we ask no victories that are not yours:
give or withhold, let pain or pleasure fall;
to know that we are serving you is all.

Text Information
First Line: Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round
Title: Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round
Author: John White Chadwick (1864, alt.)
Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
Language: English
Publication Date: 1996
Topic: Church in the World: Discipleship: Call; Calling and Response; Challenge (22 more...)
Tune Information
Name: SONG 1
Composer: Orlando Gibbons (1623, alt.)
Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
Key: F Major



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us