This is a song of praise that uses aspects of Jesus’ life. It is from the Iona collection Heaven Shall Not Wait. It is another fantastic and unusual text.
I made a backing but the chords in the piano arrangement defeated me. I chose a much simplified set of chords for this backing.
Chorus
Blessing and honour, wisdom and wealth, freedom to save or to sever:
These we proclaim belong to our God, Lord of creation forever.
1 Safe as the atom, unsplit in its shell, strong as the sea in intention,
Fine as the weave of a dragonfly’s wing: power is God’s perfect invention.
2 Born of a woman and skilled at the lathe, forfeiting glamour and glory,
God, in the flesh of a carpenter’s son, practiced the power of a story.
3 Tempted to transform the stones into bread, taunted to call help from heaven,
Christ showed how strength lay in carrying the cross, forgiving seventy times seven.
4 Power is made perfect where weakness is strong; weakness is meant for our healing;
Healing is found at the feet of the poor where God, as servant, is kneeling.
5 Made in the image of one who, unarmed, challenged the great and the greedy,
Ours is the privilege to claim and express justice for all who are needy.
Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule, copyright © 1987 Wild Goose Resource Group/ WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland. Melody: BLESSING AND HONOUR by John Bell. Websites: wgrg.co.uk & holycity-glasgow.co.uk