Hymns selected from the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal for a liturgy for peace

 

 

 

 

 

Hymn # 578     Words by: Henry William Baker

 

O God of love, O King of peace,

Make wars throughout the world to cease;

The wrath of nations now restrain,

Give peace, O God, give peace again!

 

Remember Lord, thy works of old,

The wonders that thy people told;

Remember not our sin’s dark stain,

Give peace, O God, give peace again!

 

Whom shall we trust but thee, O Lord?

Where test but on thy faithful word?

None ever called on thee in vain,

Give peace, O God, give peace again!

 

 

Hymn 597    Words by: Carl P. Daw, Jr.

 

O day of peace that dimly shines

Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,

Guide us to justice, truth, and love,

Delivered from our selfish schemes.

May swords of hate fall from our hands,

Our hearts from envy find release,

Till by God’s grace our warring world

Shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.

 

Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,

nor shall the fierce devour the small;

as beasts and cattle calmly graze,

a little child shall lead them all.

Then enemies shall learn to love,

All creatures find their true accord;

The hope of peace shall be fulfilled,

For all the earth shall know the (Lord.)

 

 

 

 

Hymn # 607    Words by: William Watkins Reid Jr.

 

O God of every nation, of every race and land,

Redeem the whole creation with your almighty hand;

Where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled,

In love and mercy guide us and heal our strife-torn world.

 

From search for wealth and power and scorn of truth and right,

From trust in bombs that shower destruction through the night,

From pride of race and nation and blindness to your way,

Deliver every nation, eternal God, we pray!

 

Lord, strengthen all who labor that we may find release

From fear of rattling saber, from dread of war’s increase;

When hope and courage falter, your still small voice be heard;

With faith that none can alter, your servants undergird.

 

Keep bright in us the vision of days when war shall cease,

When hatred and division give way to love and peace,

Till dawns the morning glorious when truth and justice reign

And Christ shall rule victorious o’er all the world’s domain.