God spake the word, and time began
First line: God spake the word, and time began
Original language: English
Words: William W. Phelps
Music: J. S. Bramwell
Lyrics (Return to top)
God spake the word, and time began
Sacred Hymns (Manchester Hymnal)
(1840, 1912 ed.),
15
1. God spake the word, and time began;He spake, and gave His law to man;His presence oft did Adam cheer,Who loved the voice of God to hear.
2. But soon the happy scene was changed,ANd they became from God estranged;They broke His law, and guilt and shameTheir state of innocence o’ercame.
3. Impelled by fear, they vainly triedFrom God’s all-searching eyes to hide;His well-known voice by them was heard,And tremblingly they both appeared.
4. So men, from that eventful day.Far from their God have gone astray,Till near six thousand years have passed,And left a lifeless faith at last.
5. By faith the ancients sought the Lord,From time to time obtained His word:Not only they, but so may we,When faith and works do both agree.
6. From Adam to the present day,Have many sought a righteous way;And some have found the narrow road,And, Enoch-like, have walked with God.
7. God is unchangeable to save,Though men are changeful as the wave;While sinners take the downward road,The faith of man approaches God.
8. Experience and the word agree—Draw nigh to God, He’ll draw night thee;Then, are they wise who do denyThe works of faith beneath the sky?
Statistics (Return to top)
These charts show the use of this song in English hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If a song appears in multiple editions of the same hymnbook, it is only counted once. [undetermined] means that tune information has not yet been entered in.
Tunes that have appeared with this song in English
Appearances of this song over time in English
Tune: Eden (by J. S. Bramwell) (Return to top) Tune 4881
Text only (Return to top)
Unofficial or Local Publications
God spake the word, and time began
Unofficial or Local Publications
God spake the word, and time began
