1 God is working his purpose out, as year succeeds to year: God is working his purpose out, and the time is drawing near; nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be, when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. 2 From utmost east to utmost west, where'er the church has gone, by the mouth of many messengers the call of God has come: Listen to me, you continents; you isles, give ear to me, that the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. 3 March we forth in the strength of God, with the banner of Christ unfurled, that the light of the glorious gospel of truth may shine throughout the world: fight we the fight with sorrow and sin to set their captives free, that the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. 4 All we can do is done in vain unless God blesses the deed; vainly we hope for the harvesttide till God gives life to the seed; yet nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be, when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.