Seek the Lord while He May be Found (O'Connor)

This is a hymn about seeking / searching for God.  It is based on Isaiah 55:6-9 - and is one of many songs with this title.

It was written by American Roman Catholic priest, theologian, composer and founder-member of the St Louis Jesuits (Robert) Roc O'Connor (b 1949).   

Originally published in 1975 in the Earthen Vessels collection, it was later included in the Glory and Praise compilation recording released by North American Liturgy Resources in 1980 (ref), and in accompanying song-books.  It is also in several later St Louis Jesuit compilations. Sheet music is still available from OCP (links below)

The original song had non-inclusive language in almost all verses:  it has been revised by O'Connor in later publications.

It doesn't appear to have been covered by any other musicians, but YouTube recordings suggest that it is still known and used by a variety of churches.

The hymn is set to an unnamed tune, also by O'Connor. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of E, the first few notes are B BB B BAG A.   Publications in the 1990s suggested performing it vigorously, with a quaver measure of 104, but many people have treated it more gently.

Downloads

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Octavo score, including keyboard arrangement by Rick Modlin

Examples

Original recording - music group and cantor with guitar accompaniment:

Solo singer, self accompanied on guitar:

Congregation with organ accompaniment:

Congregation with piano and praise band:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Original text

Chorus:
Seek the Lord, while he may be found
call to him while he is still near.

1 Today is the day and now the proper hour ...

2 Finding the Lord ...

3 Open your heart ...

4 Someday we'll live ..

Revised by the author

Chorus:
Seek the Lord, whose mercy abounds:
Call to him while he is still near.

1 Today is the day and now the proper hour ...

2 As high as the sky is above the earth ...

3 Open your heart to hear the voice of God ...

4 Some day we'll live in the house of God ...

See more ....

• Hymns based on scripture
• Hymns about seeking God

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY Chorus:
Seek the Lord whose mercy abounds;
call aloud to God who is near.
OR
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call to him while he is still near.

1. Today is the day and now the proper hour
to forsake our sinful lives and turn to the Lord.

2. As high as the sky is above the earth,
so high above our ways, the ways of the Lord.

3a.*Open your heart to hear the voice of God,
whose words, whose ways lead us to life.

OR 3b.**Finding the Lord, let us cling to him.
His words, his ways lead us to life.

4a.*Someday we’ll live in the house of God;
hearts full of praise for God's gracious love.

OR 4b.**Someday we’ll live in the house of God;
gaze on his face and praise his name.