O Lord, You Gave Your Servant John

Sydney, Australia

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Author = Joy F. Patterson, 1988

Hymn Source = The Presbyterian Hymnal: Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs (1990), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

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1.  O Lord, You gave your servant John

A vision of the world to come:

A radiant city filled with light,

Where You with us will make Your home;

Where neither grief nor pain shall dwell,

Since former things have passed away,

And where they need no sun nor moon;

Your glory lights eternal day.

2.  Our cities, Lord, wear shrouds of pain;

Beneath our gleaming towers of wealth

The homeless crouch in rain and snow,

The poor cry out for strength and health;

Youth’s hope is dimmed by ignorance;

Unwilling, workers idled stand;

Indifference walks unheeding by

As hunger stretches out its hand.

3.  Come, Lord, make real John’s vision fair;

Come, dwell with us, make all things new;

We try in vain to save our world

Unless our help shall come from You.

Come, strengthen us to live in love;

Bid hatred, greed, injustice cease.

Your glory all the light we need,

Let all our cities shine forth peace.