In ages past the mighty Lord
by prophets spoke the Word,
and from their lips God's great design
throughout the earth was heard.
In revelation, parable, bold fantasy and dream,
they echoed God's eternal vow
to ransom and redeem.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
""Prepare a desert way,
where God may pass, bring righteousness,
and rule without delay.""
The weak who wait upon the Lord
with eagles' strength shall rise,
imagined blessings of the past
now real before their eyes.
The faithful bound in tyrants' chains
shall find their hopes fulfilled,
and stony hearts become true flesh
as God's love is revealed.
Dry bones will dance and whirlwinds sing
when joy supplants despair,
and every corner of the earth
proclaim, the Lord is there!
Yet still in present, troubled days
we seek to hear God's voice,
and in the face of our distress
find reason to rejoice.
Grant us the wisdom to discern
through faith who we should be'
a fallen race, restored through grace,
a captive world set free.
