Speak O Lord
One of the 94 hymns we sing together at Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church on the Gold Coast. Browse the full hymnbook.
Lyrics
Verse 1
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfil in us
All Your purposes, for Your glory.
Verse 2
Teach us Lord full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Verse 3
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, 'til your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
Behind the Hymn
"Speak, O Lord" was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend in 2005, two of the most influential modern hymn writers in the English-speaking world. Getty, from Northern Ireland, and Townend, from England, have partnered on numerous hymns that have become staples of contemporary worship, including "In Christ Alone." This hymn is a prayer for God to speak through His Word, transform the hearer, and produce faith and holiness — it reflects their conviction that the primary purpose of gathered worship is to hear from God through Scripture. The hymn was inspired by the Puritan tradition of praying before the sermon for God to open hearts and minds to receive His Word. Each verse builds on the previous one, moving from hearing God's Word to being transformed by it to being sent out to live it. Its stately melody and reverent tone have made it a favorite as an opening hymn before the sermon in churches across the Reformed, Anglican, and evangelical traditions.