It is an incredible hymn, visualising the world church (rotating from east to west), being woken by the sun, and lifting her voice in praise and prayer to her Maker across the 24 hour period of each day, especially Sunday. When I sing it on a Sunday evening I think of those further west around the world, 8 or 9 hours behind us rising to continue the voice of praise …… “the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away …… So be it Lord; thy throne shall never, like earth’s proud empires pass away; thy kingdom stands and grows forever, till all thy creatures own thy sway”
The glory of God’s kingdom and the wonder of being part of it, thrills me and fills me as I sing this hymn, and especially in the last verse.
I’m guessing that you see this hymn as something of a metaphor for the state of the Anglican Church. Take heart! Africa and Asia are booming.
No, nothing as metaphorical! Just a great hymn for the evening 🙂
It is an incredible hymn, visualising the world church (rotating from east to west), being woken by the sun, and lifting her voice in praise and prayer to her Maker across the 24 hour period of each day, especially Sunday. When I sing it on a Sunday evening I think of those further west around the world, 8 or 9 hours behind us rising to continue the voice of praise …… “the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away …… So be it Lord; thy throne shall never, like earth’s proud empires pass away; thy kingdom stands and grows forever, till all thy creatures own thy sway”
The glory of God’s kingdom and the wonder of being part of it, thrills me and fills me as I sing this hymn, and especially in the last verse.
Eunice
thanks Eunice. Glad you love it too.