Graham Kendrick - Restore, O Lord Lyrics
Released: 16 May 2010
Lyrics
Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That men may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.
Restore, O Lord,
In all the earth Your fame,
And in our time revive
The church that bears Your name.
And in Your anger,
Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
Whose mercy shall outlast the years.
Bend us, O Lord,
Where we are hard and cold,
In Your refiner's fire
Come purify the gold.
Though suffering comes
And evil crouches near,
Still our living God
Is reigning, He is reigning here.
Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That men may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.
Video
Restore O Lord - Graham Kendrick Lyric Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Graham Kendrick's "Restore, O Lord," released via lyric video on October 5, 2020, is far more than a simple worship song; it's a profound cry for divine intervention and a stirring call to remembrance of God's enduring sovereignty. The song’s genesis appears rooted in a deep spiritual longing for a renewed manifestation of God’s power and presence in the world, a sentiment that resonates powerfully with the psalmic tradition. The opening verses immediately echo the plea found in Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit," but Kendrick broadens this personal restoration to a corporate and cosmic level. He implores God to "Restore, O Lord, the honour of Your name, In works of sovereign power Come shake the earth again." This is not a passive request for pleasantries but an audacious petition for God to intervene dramatically, to demonstrate His might so that humanity might "see And come with reverent fear To the living God." This emphasis on visible divine action as a catalyst for awe and worship is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in instances like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) or the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), events that undeniably shook the earth and compelled onlookers to acknowledge God.
Kendrick's lyrical exploration then shifts to a prayer for the widespread recognition of God's glory. The desire is for "all the earth Your fame" and, crucially, for a revival within the church itself: "And in our time revive The church that bears Your name." This speaks to a recognition that spiritual vitality is not a given but a gift requiring divine rekindling. The poignant line, "And in Your anger, Lord, remember mercy," is a profound theological wrestling, acknowledging both God's righteous judgment and His covenantal faithfulness. It calls to mind God's declaration to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty." This duality underscores the hopeful anticipation of God’s mercy triumphing over His wrath. The repetition of the assurance, "Whose kingdom shall outlast the years," serves as an anchor, a reminder of eternal truth amidst present struggles, echoing prophecies like Daniel 7:27 which speaks of an everlasting dominion given to the saints.
The song's third stanza introduces a deeply personal element of consecration. The prayer, "Bend us, O Lord, Where we are hard and cold, In Your refiner's fire Come purify the gold," is a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation. It acknowledges the resistance within the human heart and the necessity of God's refining process, much like the trials described in 1 Peter 1:6-7, which speak of faith being tested by fire. The acknowledgment of hardship, "Though suffering comes And evil crouches near," is honest and unflinching, mirroring the scriptural understanding that believers will face tribulation. Yet, even in the face of adversity, Kendrick anchors the faithful in the unwavering reality of God's reign: "Still our living God Is reigning, He is reigning here." This is not a future hope alone but a present declaration of Christ’s ongoing sovereignty, as promised in Matthew 28:20, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." The recurring chorus, "Restore, O Lord, The honour of Your name," acts as a powerful refrain, a constant plea for God to reassert His rightful place in creation and in the hearts of His people. This is a song that doesn't just offer comfort; it inspires a courageous and expectant faith, urging a posture of humble surrender and bold petition for the glory of God to be made manifest.