1 God is working His purpose out As year succeeds to year; God is working His purpose out, And the time is drawing near; Nearer and nearer draws the time, The time that shall surely be When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea. 2 From utmost east to utmost west, Where’er man’s foot hath trod, By the mouth of many messengers Goes forth the voice of God; Give ear to me, ye continents, Ye isles, give ear to me, That the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea. 3 March we forth in the strength of God With the banner of Christ unfurled, That the light of the glorious gospel of truth May shine throughout the world: Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin To set their captives free, That the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea. 4 All we can do is nothing worth Unless God blesses the deed; Vainly we hope for the harvest tide Till God gives life to the seed; Yet nearer and nearer draws the time, The time that shall surely be, When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea.