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.