By faith the ancients sought the Lord

Author: William W. Phelps
Composer: J. S. Bramwell

Languages (1)

This song text has been indexed at SingPraises.net in the following languages:


Statistics

Most common tunes for “By faith the ancients sought the Lord”

This chart shows the tunes that are paired with this text most frequently, in hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If the text appears with the same tune in multiple editions or translations of the same hymnbook, it is only counted once.


Appearances of “By faith the ancients sought the Lord” over time

This timeline shows which tunes have been used with this text over time, in hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Representative lyrics

English (Original Language)

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 shame Their state of innocence o’ercame.

3. Impelled by fear, they vainly tried From 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 deny The works of faith beneath the sky?