Jesus is Lord! Creation’s Voice Proclaims It

This is a hymn about Jesus: his might shown in creation, his death on Calvary and his resurrection.

It was written by English physicist, engineer and later full-time evangelist (Dave) David John Mansell (1936-2020 - source), and first published in Sound of Living Waters: Songs of the Spirit, in 1974 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Michigan, USA and Hodder & Stoughton, London, England: This book was edited by musicians Betty Pulkingham and Jeanne Harper.

Some sources say the song is copyright 1982 by Springtide, administered by Word Music UK. However CCLI currently (mid 2024) lists is as © 1980 Authentic Publishing (administered by Integrity Music Ltd in the USA and CopyCare in the UK).

It has been translated into a number of languages, including Dutch (Jezus is Heer je ziet het om je heen), Welsh (Iesu yw'r Ior y cread sy'n cyhoeddi) and Korean (예수는 주).

Sometimes regarded as an anthem for the charismatic movement, the song has bridged the gap between modern and traditional worship styles. Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

Ancient and Modern, Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd, London, England 2013
Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, 1994 and 2012, McCrimmon Publications, England
Church Family Worship, Jubilate Hymns, England 1988
Church Hymnal, Fifth Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000
Common Praise, Canterbury Press, England 2000
Complete Mission Praise, Marshall Pickering, London, England, 1999
CPWI Hymnal, The Church in the Province of the West Indies, St John, Barbados, 2010
Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.), Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1987
Hymns Old and New: Kevin Mayhew Ltd, UK: New Anglican edition 1996, Complete Anglican edition, 2000, Anglican Hymns Old and New Rev. and Enl, 2008, Catholic edition, 2009 - and perhaps other editions
Scripture in Song, Volume II, Songs of the Kingdom, Scripture in Song New Zealand, 1981
Singing the Faith, Hymns Ancient & Modern for the Methodist Church, London, 2011
Songs of Fellowship, volume 1, Kingsway Music Ltd, England, 1995
Songs of God's People:- supplement to the Church Hymnal, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, England, 1988
The Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook, Canterbury Press, Norwich, England 2004.

These books (some of which are still in print) are the only sources of sheet-music for the song.

The text has meter 11.12.11.12 with refrain.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Mansell. This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of Ab, the first few notes of the melody are E E E F_ F F GAB c_ B with accompanying chords Ab / Dmin / Bbmin / Eb / Eb7

Image adapt from PxHere - CC0

Downloads

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Examples

Choir / congregation with backing track, words on-screen:

Choir with organ:

Singer with piano

Choir with band, professional recording:

Duet with guitar:

Singer with string-led backing

Instrumental - digital organ:

Instrumental - organ:

Lyrics

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

1. Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it,
for by his power each tree and flower was planned and made.
Jesus is Lord! The universe declares it -
sun, moon and stars in heaven cry: `Jesus is Lord!'

Chorus:
Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord!
Praise him with alleluias, for Jesus is Lord.

2. Jesus is Lord! Yet from his throne eternal
in flesh he came to die in pain on Calvary's tree.
Jesus is Lord! From him all life proceeding -
yet gave his life a ransom thus setting us free.

3. Jesus is Lord! O'er sin the mighty conqueror;
from death he rose and all his foes shall own his name.
Jesus is Lord! God sends his Holy Spirit
to show by works of power that Jesus is Lord.