Lutheran Book of Worship ‎#373

373. Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round

1 Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round
Of circling planets singing on their way,
Guiding the nations from the night profound
Into the glory of the perfect day:
Rule in our hearts, that we may live anew,
Guided and strengthened and upheld by you.

2 We are your own, the children of your love,
As dearly loved as your beloved Son;
Descend, O Holy Spirit, like a dove
And rule our hearts, that we may be as one -
As one with you, to whom we ever tend;
As one with him, our brother and our friend.

3 We would be one in hatred of all wrong,
One in our love of all things true and fair,
One with the joy that finds a voice in song,
One with the grief that trembles into prayer,
One in the strength that makes your children free
To follow truth, and thus in you to be.

4 Oh, clothe us with your heav'nly armor, Lord.
Your trusty shield and sword of love endure;
Our constant inspiration be your Word;
We ask no victories that are not yours.
Give or withhold, let pain or pleasure fall:
To know that we are serving you is all.

Text Information

• First Line: Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round
• Title: Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round
• Author: John W. Chadwick, 1840-1904 (alt.)
• Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1978
• Topic: Community in Christ; Creation; Society

Tune Information

• Name: SONG 1
• Composer: Orlando Gibbons, 1583-1625
• Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
• Key: F Major