Great and deep the Spirit's purpose

Great and deep the Spirit's purpose,
hidden now in mystery;
Nature bursts with joyful promise,
ripe with what is yet to be.
In a wealth of rich invention,
still the work of art unfolds -
barely have we seen, and faintly,
what God's great salvation holds.

Great and deep the Spirit's purpose
making Jesus seen and heard.
Every age of God's creation
grasps new meanings from the Word.
Show us, Holy Spirit, show us
your new work begun today;
eyes and ears and hearts are open,
teach us what to do and say.

Great and deep the Spirit's purpose
all God's children brought to birth,
freed from hunger, fear and evil
every corner of the earth.
And a million million voices
speak with joy the Saviour's name;
every face reflects his image,
never any two the same.

Great and deep the Spirit's purpose
nothing shall be left to chance.
All that lives will be united
in the everlasting dance.
All fulfilled and all perfected,
each uniquely loved and known,
Christ in glory unimagined
once for all receives his own.

Words: © Marnie Barrell, 1988

This hymn is reproduced here with the kind permission of the author; if you wish to reproduce it further, please apply for permission by sending her an email.

Music: Abbot's Leigh, Ton-y-Botel, Nettleton, Blaenwern, Hyfrydol

Music: Abbot's Leigh by Cyril V. Taylor
Music © 1942, Ren. 1970 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
For permission to reproduce this tune in US & Canada, contact: Hope Publishing Company, www.hopepublishing.com
For the rest of the world, contact Oxford University Press, www.oup.co.uk

Meter: 87 87 D

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2002.