whom the LORD would call his own
he chastens when they go astray
then tenderly would comfort them
bind up the wounds that he has made
when Yahweh's glory was revealed -
the Word made flesh, the Father's Son -
it showed itself in grace outpoured
in mercy, truth - salvation won
God has but to blow on man -
he withers, dies, a transient plant
no power to sustain his life -
but God's Word will forever stand
Behold! The Lord Jehovah comes
with mighty arm, with outstretched hand
the Ruler of the kings of earth
the Judge before whom none can stand.
Behold! He comes - to seek his sheep
the mighty One comes tenderly
the lambs to gather in his arms
the weak he carries, shields from harm
his weary ones he gently leads
The oceans fit within his hand
his fingers mark the stars' expanse
he knows how much the mountains weigh
he numbers all the grains of sand
what counsel would he need to seek?
what help, that he might understand?
all nations are as dust to him
inconsequential, weightless, chaff
to whom will you compare this God -
an idol that can never move
created by a man of dust,
itself consigned to turn to dust?
God rules the princes of the earth
makes them become as emptiness
he blows upon the mightiest
they wither, die, and are no more
To whom then will you liken God?
He knows the number of the stars
he made them, calls them all by name
his awesome might sustains them all
and yet the Everlasting One -
the infinite, the mighty God -
he understands my deepest needs
my ways, my thoughts - he knows them all
though he is high and lifted up
the weary he does not despise
the faint, exhausted, find in him
the strength to rise and soar the skies
Come, stand in awe of this your God
whose glories shine by showing grace,
whose mighty power, by tenderness;
the Infinite One knows my needs
the mighty God renews the weak
the stars appear by his command -
he carries me, his wayward lamb.
