The Sacred Anthem

The Sacred Anthem

Text written in 1984 by Ottilie Stafford (1921 -    )

Sung to WALLOWA, composed in 1984 by Melvin West (1930 -    )

Genesis 2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

V. 1 The sacred anthem slowly rang

Across the fields of praise,

When earth's first Sabbath made complete

All creatures and all days.

Walking with God, there,

Woman and man together share

The blessed Sabbath mood;

And in that green and golden world

Know all God's works are good.

Hebrews 1:11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

Hebrews 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.

V. 2 But now in our diminished lives

We sing a blemished song;

The earth is worn and disarrayed

And all our work goes wrong.

Still in our worship,

Joining in praise and fellowship,

By Sabbath radiance blessed,

We put our doubt and fear away

And rest within God's rest.

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

V. 3 And arching over time and space

The Lord of Sabbaths wills

Renewal for the weary earth

And healing for our ills.

Hearts will rejoice then;

There will be no more weeping, when

We know and shall be known.

With hosts of the redeemed we'll sing

Around God's shining throne.