All Things New

I won't ever claim to be the most talented poet to walk the earth, but it is fun to occasionally experiment with different forms of expression. That said, in thinking a lot about a favorite passage of mine, Rev. 21:1-5, I wrote out the following verses and chorus. I originally put it together as an assignment for a class last semester, but the more time I've spent thinking about it the more I've enjoyed playing with an expression of my response to the text. I wrote the words to fit in with the tune of Indelible Grace’s O Come and Mourn, by Sandra McCracken, but I don't think the tune is really necessary to understand the song itself.

Being at Covenant has really made paying attention to the story of Scripture come to the forefront of my understanding of Christ's work and the gospel as a whole. It's amazing how much our understanding of God's end goal in his creation overflows into how we are to live out lives right now!

The groom’s face brightens with delight,

His wayward bride he has pursued.

God’s dwelling place is now with man,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

...

O Sin, your reign comes crashing down!

In this bold grace Death’s death is true:

The former things have passed away,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

...

Death’s dark effects have seized our hearts

Its goal, life’s beauty to undo

But listen to the Savior’s cry,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.

...

When loss brings us to emptiness

And sharply cuts our spirits through

In Him our mourning is no more

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

...

O Sin, your reign comes crashing down!

In this bold grace Death’s death is true:

The former things have passed away,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

...

The tears that fill our flowing eyes

Will disappear like morning dew

His hand will wipe them each away,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

...

The ache of sickness felt throughout,

Pain’s ill effects that oft ensue

Can’t weaken His redeeming love,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

O Sin, your reign comes crashing down!

In this bold grace Death’s death is true:

The former things have passed away,

“Behold, I’m making all things new.”

In writing this song, I attempted to follow the general flow of the passage, starting with the image of a wedding, and then progressing through the subjects of death, mourning, crying, and pain. I then tried to synthesize it all in the chorus by emphasizing the theme of the text, “the former things have passed away...Behold, I’m making all things new.”

-Drew