Blogs

When justice is impossible – can we sing?

1 When justice is impossible,
beyond our human scope;
 when doubt and darkness celebrate
 and we no longer cope,
 give us, O God, the words to sing,
 and faith to trust the end you bring.

2 From thundercloud, through wind and fire,
 you act to bring release.
 From bonds that we have forged ourselves
you come to bring us peace;
 so give us, God, the words to sing,
 and strength to trust the end you bring.

3 From our distress we call to you,
 but yet we fear your hand,
 for where we fail you will prevail
 but will we live to stand?
 O give us God, the words to sing
 whatever end you need to bring.

4 Our mouths are open with the song,
 we’re singing for our lives,
 bring courage, give us strength, O God,
 while human hope survives.
may alleluias fill that song
 in spite of all our human wrong.

Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 2006 Stainer & Bell Ltd

Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior permission from Stainer & Bell Ltd.

Tune: AUCH JETZT MACHT GOTT

He could have walked the easy road – written by Marjorie Dobson – inspired by the temptation of Jesus in the desert

1	He could have walked the easy road 
	to fortune and to fame.
	He knew he could work miracles, 
	to heal the blind and lame.
	He could have fed the starving poor 
	with fish as well as bread.
	But Jesus knew that life held more 
	and chose God's word instead.
	
2	He could have trusted angels' wings, 
	up on that Temple tower. 
	To save him from a fall to death 
	was well within God's power.
	The people would have marvelled then 
	and guessed this was God's son.
	But Jesus would not take the test 
	to prove he was that one.
	
3	He could have taken full control, 
	the world lay at his feet.
	He only had to say the word: 
	his rule would be complete.
	The mountain view had caught his breath..
	Power was a word away. 
	But Jesus turned back from it all 
	and God had won the day.

Marjorie Dobson (born 1940) based on Matthew 4 vs 1-11
Words © 2019, Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 6
Tune: KINGSFOLD

A hymn for Jesus’ temptation

Lent 1 – The temptation of Jesus

1	Jesus met supreme temptation, 
	countered subtlety with skill; 
	ever faithful to one purpose, 
	still committed to God's will.
	
2	With no food he soon was famished, 
	hunger racked him, filled his mind, 
	then a voice had come to taunt him, 
	'bread is there for you to find'.
	
3	Each illusion he would parry, 
	each temptation run to ground; 
	all the world was for the asking, 
	yet his faith was strong and sound.
	
4	Every miracle and wonder 
	he was tempted to perform
	he rebutted, held the tension;
	he would live beyond this storm.
	
5	And when we meet with temptation, 
	save us from each trial and test; 
	strengthen faith, God, give us courage, 
	help us strive toward the best.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2010 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tune: CROSS OF JESUS