Thou Art the Everlasting Word

The following hymn contains more doctrine of Christ than any hymn that I have seen.  I have seen it called Christo-centric.  It certainly is that.  What amazes me the most is that this hymn only begins to scratch the surface of the "unfathomable riches of Christ"  (Ephesians 3:8)!

Although it can be sung to any tune with the meter 8.6.8.6.8.8., the tune I am used to singing it to is ARABIA. 

Thou Art the Everlasting Word

by Josiah Conder

Thou art the everlasting Word,

Of Christ in John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The Father’s only Son;

Of Jesus in John 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God manifest, God seen and heard,

Of Jesus in 1 Timothy 3:16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

The Heav’n’s belovèd one:

After Jesus' baptism, Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou

Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

That every knee to Thee should bow.

Philippians 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

In Thee most perfectly expressed
The Father’s self doth shine;

Hebrews 1:1-3 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Fulness of Godhead, too: the Blest,

Of Christ in Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

Of Christ in 1 Timothy 6:15 which He will bring about at the proper time - He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Eternally divine.

Of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.

Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.

Image of th'Infinite Unseen,

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Whose being none can know;

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Matthew 11:27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

Brightness of light no eye hath seen;

Of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Timothy 6:16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

God's love revealed below:

1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.

The higher mysteries of Thy fame
The creature's grasp transcend;

Ephesians 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,

The Father only Thy blest name
Of Son can comprehend:

Matthew 11:27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!

 Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.

Yet loving Thee, on whom His love
Ineffable doth rest,

Jesus prayed in John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

The worshippers, O Lord, above,

Revelation 5:13-14 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.

As one with Thee are blest:

Jesus said in John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.

Of the vast universe of bliss,
The center Thou, and Sun;

Revelation 7:17 "for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

Malachi 4:2 "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall."

Th’eternal theme of praise is this,

Psalm 41:9 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

To Heav’n’s belovèd one:

2 Peter 1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased "- 

Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.