Men's Chorale - God of Our Fathers

As I write, the SoS Men’s Chorale is once again regaling attendees with a glorious hymn of the faith. “God of our fathers” was composed for the 4th of July Centennial in 1876, at a time when Americans still acknowledged with gratitude God’s providence in the founding of our nation. The hymn’s message of multi-generational commitment to our fathers’ vision and faithful walking with our fathers’ God is incredibly appropriate as we seek to apply the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture, a doctrine which was recovered and passed down to us by our Reformation forefathers.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.