1. GOD THE FIRST God, the first, the foremost no other can I love Let all other things pass silently away Though earth's deceiving powers, glittering prizes can give Yet Jesus, you alone, all my affections will hold In the midst of our failures, helplessness, despair of the world only you bring compassion, you who have lived through our pain Patron of the poor and weak, champion of all the lost Stand before the throne of God, bearing our innocence bright

2. GOD THE FIRST When the dark gathers round us, covering all with terror and gloom Surely you are our vision, casting our guilt to the depth Jesu you are all the world; no one but you in my heart none save God can match your grace; Father and Son be my life Come that day of your presence, fill the skies, consume with your heat All the stars of the heavens bow to that holiest gaze All shall kneel before your power; all give acclaim to your might None compare and none can doubt; mercy is found in the Son

3. GOD THE FIRST There we'll gather with angels; company of martyrs and saints Bearing bodies of power; born of the Spirit of Christ banish from all memory tears and the pain of this life Live with joy eternally; ever to dwell in his halls