God, Whose Almighty Word (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 673)
1 God, whose almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard
And took their flight:
Hear us, we humbly pray,
And where the Gospel day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light!
2 Lord, who once came to bring,
On your redeeming wing,
Healing and sight,
Health to the sick in mind,
Sight to the inly blind:
Oh, now to humankind
Let there be light!
3 Spirit of truth and love,
Life-giving, holy dove,
Speed forth your flight;
Move on the water’s face
Bearing the lamp of grace,
And in earth’s darkest place
Let there be light!
4 Holy and blessed three,
Glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, love, might!
Boundless as ocean’s tide,
Rolling in fullest pride,
Through the earth, far and wide,
Let there be light!
Text: John Marriott; Music: Felice de Giardini; Public Domain
Devotion
There are many echoes in my childhood of the reassuring motifs in these lyrics. God’s Word banishes chaos and darkness. Jesus brings healing and exposes illusions. The Holy Spirit is made of truth and love. One God, in three persons, is boundless and inevitable as the ocean tides.
In the congregations I have served, I’ve occasionally mentioned my life-long struggle with clinical depression. My intention was to normalize discussion of emotional and mental health issues. As an adult, I came to understand my love of this hymn. God has power over the darkness that resists light. Jesus shatters haunting illusions. The Holy Spirit, who is always with me, is a loving dove, bringing a lamp to the darkest places. We sing and pray, “Let there be light.” The Creator sang that at the beginning of time. We get to join the chorus to sing it again and again. The Lord shines that darkness-melting light in your life, too.
Prayer
Gracious Savior, lighten the hearts of all who suffer chronic depression. Give them the courage and trust to speak of their struggles with others so conversation and support may be shared. Amen.