Hymns and Songs | Ken Puls Music

Lord We Come to Hear Your Word

I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor shall
they be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD (Jeremiah 23:4 ESV).

Preach the Word

 

1.   Lord, we come to hear Your Word.
         Shine Your light! Unsheathe Your sword!
      Send Your Spirit forth in pow'r.
         Come and bless Your church this hour.

2.   We confess, our thoughts have strayed;
         Minds distracted and dismayed.
      On the Son fix now each thought;
         Help us worship as we ought.

3.   Lord, as we prepare to hear,
         Wake each soul, unstop each ear.
      Conquer every stubborn heart;
         Mercy, saving grace impart.

4.   Understanding, Lord we need;
         Wisdom, too, to hear and heed.
      Send illumination's light;
         Open eyes and give us sight.

5.   Lord, we lift up to Your care
         Him who stands now to declare
      Truth that teaches, warns, consoles;
         Bless this feast to feed our souls.

6.   We confess, without Your grace,
         Vain our efforts in this place.
      You must come and warm and stir,
         For true worship to occur.

7.   For Your Word, O Lord, we yearn;
         Empty, let it not return.
      Come, accomplish all Your will —
         Draw, convict, give life and fill.

"Lord We Come to Hear Your Word"
WORDS: Ken Puls, July 6, 1997
MUSIC: H. A. César Malan (1827)
TUNE: HENDON (7.7.7.7. with repeat)
THEME: Feasting on the Word of Christ

The idea for this hymn came from a Bible Study taught by Pastor Larry Vincent at Heritage Baptist Church in Mansfield, Texas during the spring of 1997. In Jeremiah 23:4 the Lord promises to give His people shepherds to feed them "and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking" (NKJV). Larry compared the work of a minister as he studies and proclaims God's Word to the preparation and setting of a rich feast for the souls of God's people. One of God's richest provisions for the church is faithful preaching and exposition of His Word.

This hymn is a prayer for those who hunger and thirst to know God in His Word. Every time we come to God's Word—whether in private reading and study, or public preaching and teaching—we should always pray that God would help us to listen and grant a saving and sanctifying understanding of His Word. We need the Spirit of God to illumine the Word if we are to receive, understand and be nourished by its truth.

And every time we have opportunity to sit under the preaching and teaching of God's Word, we should pray for the minister. Verse five of the hymn is a prayer asking God's blessing on the pastor as he comes to feed God's people. Those who have had opportunity to preach and teach the Bible will testify—there is no greater feeling of helplessness and utter dependency than seeking to lead God's people in worship. All of our preparation, study and planning are for naught, unless God works by His Spirit and blesses our efforts.

Words ©1998 Kenneth A Puls

 

Download Lyrics

 

Hymn Arranged to a tune by Drew Hodge:

Listen to a setting of "Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word"
Recorded at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, NM
New music and arrangement by Drew Hodge, 2012

 

The hymn was also included on the album "This Is Our Song" by Desert Springs Church in 2015

Listen on youtube

Lead Sheet

Chord Chart
Higher Key: A

Chord Chart
Lower Key: G

 

Hymn Arranged to tune HENDON:

Song Sheet

Guitar Music
Classical Guitar Accompaniment

 

Permission is granted to churches to make additional copies
of the lyrics and sheet music for this hymn for use in worship.

 

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