Presbyterian pastor writes new hymn following Wednesday’s impeachment

Churches, groups are free to use Gillette’s ‘O God of All the Nations’

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

Following Wednesday’s House of Representatives vote to impeach President Donald Trump, Presbyterian pastor and hymn writer Carolyn WInfrey Gillette wrote new lyrics to the hymn “Lead On, O King Eternal!” She calls her new hymn, “O God of All the Nations.” (Contributed photo)

LOUISVILLE — In the wake of Wednesday’s House of Representatives impeachment of President Donald Trump, prolific Presbyterian hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has penned new lyrics to the hymn “Lead On, O King Eternal!” (Hymn 269 in the hymnal “Glory to God”)

Gillette, a Presbyterian pastor, grants free use to churches and groups to use her newest lyrics, which she completed early Thursday morning. She calls her newest hymn, “O God of All the Nations.”

Among the biblical references Gillette cites in her new hymn: 2 Samuel 12:1-14, where Nathan tells David, “You are the man!” after David takes umbrage to Nathan’s story of a rich man taking a poor man’s only ewe to feed a traveler, and Jesus’ response to the Pharisees, who urged Jesus to get out of town because Herod wanted to kill him: “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.’”

O God of All the Nations

LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D

(“Lead On, O King Eternal”; “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”)

O God of all the nations, your ancient prophets saw

that kings and institutions are not above the law.

Integrity is precious, and truth will one day stand;

Your way is peace and justice, and love is your command.

O God, when times are troubled, when lies are seen as truth,

When power-hungry people draw praise and not reproof,

When greed is seen as greatness, when justice is abused,

We pray that those who lead us will know what they must choose.

We pray they’ll gather wisdom and lift up high ideals,

To guide our struggling nation along a path that heals.

We pray they’ll have the vision to value each good law,

To put aside ambition, to seek the best for all.

O God of all the nations, may those who lead us see

that justice is your blessing, that truth will set us free.

Give all of us the courage to seek the nobler way,

So in this land we cherish, the good will win the day.

Biblical references: 2 Samuel 12:1-14; 1 Kings 12, 13-14, 17 & 18; 2 Kings 18-20; Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9; 13:32.

Tune: Traditional Welsh melody, from Daniel Evans’ Hymnau a Thonau (Hymns and Tunes), 1865 (“Lead On, O King Eternal”; “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”)

Text: Copyright © December 19, 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.                                                   Permission is given for free use of this hymn.

Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com   New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com