God is Working His Purpose Out / As the Waters Cover the Sea

This is a rousing hymn about the purpose of God's actions revealed over time. It is partly based on Isaiah 11 / Habakkuk 2:14; "For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea." It is sometimes called The Marching Hymn.

It was written by English Anglican priest's son, teacher, hymn-writer and author, Arthur Campbell Ainger (1841-1919), as a tribute to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward White Benson.

With irregular meter, tunes it is set to include:

BENSON (Kingham) by South African born Millicent D. Kingham, 1894
PURPOSE (Shaw) by English organist, choirmaster and music-director, Martin Shaw (1875-1958).

Downloads

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PowerPoint
slides

Downloadable contemporary SATB choir arrangement by Adam Judd

Examples

Large choir with organ, words on-screen (TV programme recording?):

Choir with words on-screen:

Choir with organ, professional recording:

Choir with small orchestra, live in a church-service:

Singer with band, professional recording:

Virtual choir with organ:

Singer with guitar:

Instrumental - piano:

Lyrics

God is working this purpose out,
as year succeeds to year;
God is working this purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be:
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west,
where human feet have trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God:
“Give ear to me, ye continents,
ye isles, give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.”

Let us go forth in the strength of God,
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world.
Let us all fight with sorrow and sin
to set the captives free,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blesses the deed.
Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed.
Yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.