Not Far Beyond the Sea

Above:  St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Hamilton, Georgia, June 19, 2011

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://picasaweb.google.com/114749828757741527421/StNicholasHamilton#5620026101507470674)

Words by George Bradford Caird (1917-1984), British Congregationalist Biblical Scholar

Hymn Source = The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada (1971)

The note in the 1971 Hymn Book says that the scriptural basis for this hymn is Ephesians 3:14-19.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  Not far beyond the sea

nor high above the heavens,

but very nigh thy voice, O God, is heard.

For each new step of faith we take

thou has more truth and light

to break forth thy holy word.

2.  Rooted and grounded in thy love,

with saints on earth and saints above

we join in full accord

to grasp the breadth, length, depth and height,

the crucified and risen might

of Christ, the incarnate Word.

3.  Help us to press toward that mark,

and, though our vision now is dark,

to live by what we see.

So, when we see thee face to face,

thy truth and light our dwelling-place

for evermore shall be.