Your presence, the promise
Your fullness, the feast
I'll keep oil in my lamp
Love, keep me burning
'Til the city
The city of God
In these earthen vessels
Though broken and weak
Your glory is shining
Through the cracks and the seams
'Til the city
The city of God
Oh, what a day, what a day that will be
When the Lamb will be the light
When the Lamb will be the light
No more sorrow, no more night
When the Lamb will be the light
Oh, the light
Sting of death is forgotten
And swallowed in life
Every sadness comes untrue
That's the story You write
In the city
Oh, the city of God
And joy overwhelming
As wedding bells ring
And we will be married
To our Bridegroom King
In the city
The city of God
Oh
And oh, what a day, what a day that will be
When the Lamb will be the light
When the Lamb will be the light
No more sorrow, no more night
When the Lamb will be the light
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The light
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The light
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Oh, oh, oh
Ooh, ooh
And oh, what a day, what a day that will be
Oh, what a day, what a day that will be
Oh, what a day, what a day that will be
And the Lamb will be the light
What a day, what a day
And the Lamb will be the light
What a day, what a day
And all we've searched for we find
In the Lamb who is the light
The light
Ooh
Oh, what a wonderful day
What a wonderful day
What a glorious day (Ooh)
"City Of God" by Steffany Gretzinger is a powerful worship song that brings a fresh perspective to the concept of the city of God, inspired by Revelation 21. The song beautifully captures the longing and anticipation for the day when the Lamb will be the light and all sorrow and darkness will be no more.
The lyrics of the song remind us of the promise of God's presence and fullness, likening it to a feast that satisfies our souls. It speaks of keeping the oil in our lamps, a reference to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Just as the wise virgins kept their lamps filled with oil, we are encouraged to keep our hearts burning with love for God until the coming of the city of God.
The song portrays our current earthly existence as earthen vessels, broken and weak, but still capable of reflecting God's glory. It beautifully captures the idea that even in our brokenness, God's light can shine through the cracks and seams of our lives. It reminds us that our weakness doesn't hinder God's glory from being revealed, but rather it becomes a testimony of His power and grace.
The chorus of the song expresses the hope and joy that will be experienced in the city of God. It paints a picture of a day when the Lamb, referring to Jesus, will be the light. This is a direct reference to Revelation 21:23, which says, "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb."
The lyrics continue to describe the city of God as a place where every sorrow comes untrue and where the sting of death is forgotten. This echoes the words of Isaiah 25:8, which says, "He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces." It is a reminder that in the city of God, all pain and suffering will be redeemed and replaced with everlasting joy.
The song also references the joy of the wedding feast between Christ and His bride, the Church. It speaks of the day when we will be married to our Bridegroom King, a reference to the marriage supper of the Lamb mentioned in Revelation 19:9. This imagery conveys the intimacy and deep relationship that we will have with Jesus in the city of God.
Overall, "City Of God" is a song filled with hope, anticipation, and longing for the day when we will dwell in the city of God. It beautifully captures the essence of Revelation 21 and the promises of God's presence, glory, and eternal joy. Through its lyrics, the song invites us to fix our gaze on the future city of God while also reminding us of the power and grace of God that is present in our lives today. Steffany Gretzinger's soulful vocals and heartfelt delivery further enhance the emotional depth and meaning of the song, making it a powerful worship anthem.
