Scripture Verse

Why do you now cry aloud—have you no king? Has your counselor perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor? Lamentations 2:19

Introduction

Words: E. Mar­ga­ret Clark­son, 1981.

Music: Sal­va­tion (Ken­tuc­ky) Ken­tuc­ky Har­mo­ny, 1816 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
E. Margaret Clarkson (1915–2008)

Lyrics

Our cities cry to you, O God,
From out their pain and strife;
You made us for Yourself alone,
But we choose alien life.
Our goals are pleasure, gold, and power;
Injustice stalks our earth;
In vain we seek for rest, for joy,
For sense of human worth.

Yet still You walk our streets, O Christ!
We know Your presence here,
Where humble Christians love and serve
In godly grace and fear.
O Word made flesh, be seen in us!
May all we say and do
Affirm You God incarnate still
And turn sad hearts to You!

Your people are Your hands and feet
To serve Your world today;
Our lives, the book our cities read
To help them find your way.
O pour Your sovereign Spi­rit out
On heart and will and brain:
Inspire Your church with love and power
To ease our cities’ pain!

O healing Sav­ior, Prince of Peace,
Salvation’s source and sum,
For You our broken cities cry—
O come, Lord Je­sus, come!
With truth Your royal diadem,
With right­eous­ness Your rod,
O come, Lord Je­sus, bring to earth
The city of our God!