755

Speak, O Lord

Scripture References

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

This song emphasizes the action of the Christian and the church to call on God to renew our hearts through the word. These requests are based on the truths taught in Belgic Confession, Article 24: True faith is “produced in us by the hearing of God’s Word and by the work of the Holy Spirit, (and) regenerates us and makes us new creatures, causing us to live a new life and freeing us from the slavery of sin.”

755

Speak, O Lord

Confession

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
—Psalm 139:23-24, NRSV
— Worship Sourcebook Edition Two

Additional Prayers

A Prayer for God to Become Unmistakable to Us
Break your silence, God, and speak to us. When you fall silent, we do not know what to say, where to go, what to do. When you fall silent, the whole world loses the only voice we can finally trust. Speak, O Lord, so we may be assured you are there, you are here, you are everywhere. Speak through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
755

Speak, O Lord

Tune Information

Name
SPEAK, O LORD
Key
B♭ Major
Meter
8.10.8.10.10.10.8.9

Recordings

755

Speak, O Lord

Hymn Story/Background

Released on the 2005 album In Christ Alone, Getty and Townend wanted to underscore the amazing truth that we have a God who speaks. God spoke creation into being, he spoke through the living Word, Jesus Christ, and he speaks through the Holy Spirit in both written and proclaimed words. Getty and Townend felt the value of the Word was being diminished, both in worship and in the passion in which it’s read, but mostly in our own expectation that when we sit down with the Word, God will speak to us. They wrote this hymn to be sung before or after a sermon or the reading of the Word, to put us in a posture of humility and expectation.
— Laura de Jong

Author and Composer Information

Stuart Townend (b. 1963) grew up in West Yorkshire, England, the youngest son of an Anglican vicar. He started learning piano at a young age, and began writing music at age 22. He has produced albums for Keith Routledge and Vinesong, among many others, and has also released eight solo albums to date. Some of his better-known songs include “How Deep the Father’s Love,” “The King of Love,” and “The Power of the Cross.” He continues to work closely with friends Keith and Kristyn Getty, and is currently a worship leader in Church of Christ the King in Brighton, where he lives with wife Caroline, and children Joseph, Emma and Eden.
 
Keith Getty (b. December 16, 1974) developed a passion for writing good songs for the church in his twenties, and began writing for his small Baptist church. He is passionate about writing theologically astute lyrics and tunes that are easy to sing. Growing up in Ireland, he now lives with his wife Kristyn and daughter Eliza Joy in Nashville. Getty writes and performs predominantly with Kristyn, and the couple regularly tour the United States and the United Kingdom.
— Laura de Jong

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