Scripture Verse

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. Hebrews 1:1–2

Introduction

Words: George W. Briggs, in Ten New Hymns from the Bi­ble, 1953. Orig­in­al­ly ti­tled God Hath Spok­en by His Pro­phets.

Music: Eb­en­ezer Tho­mas J. Will­iams, in Llaw lyfr Mo­li­ant, 1890 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Briggs (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Thomas J. Williams (1869–1944)
Courtesy of Nigel Williams

Lyrics

God has spok­en by the pro­phets,
Spoken the un­chang­ing Word;
Each from age to age pro­claim­ing
God the One, the right­eous Lord!
’Mid the world’s des­pair and tur­moil
One firm an­chor hold­ing fast:
God eter­nal reigns for­ev­er,
God the first and God the last.

God has spok­en by Christ Je­sus,
Christ, the ev­er­last­ing Son,
Brightness of the Fa­ther’s glo­ry,
With the Fa­ther ev­er one;
Spoken by the Word in­car­nate,
God of God ere time was born;
Light of light, to earth des­cend­ing,
Christ as God in hu­man form.

God is speak­ing by the Spi­rit,
Speaking to our hearts again,
In the age-long word de­clar­ing
God’s own mes­sage, now as then.
Through the rise and fall of na­tions
One sure faith is stand­ing fast:
God abides, the Word un­chang­ing,
God the first and God the last.