Steffany Gretzinger - City Of God Lyrics
Lyrics
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)
Video
Steffany Gretzinger, kalley - City Of God (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Steffany Gretzinger's "City of God," released on July 7, 2023, as part of her album *The Narrow Way*, offers a profound theological meditation that centers on eschatological hope and the ultimate reign of Christ. The song draws its power from a deep well of biblical imagery, painting a vivid picture of a future redeemed and perfected, a stark contrast to the trials of the present. Its narrative arc is simple yet potent: an acknowledgment of our current brokenness, a fervent anticipation of divine restoration, and the assurance that this restoration is inherently tied to the person and work of Jesus, the Lamb. Gretzinger begins by grounding the listener in the present reality of faith, referring to our "earthen vessels," a clear echo of 2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." This verse beautifully encapsulates the idea that even in our weakness and imperfection, God’s glory shines through, particularly as expressed through the phrase "Through the cracks and the seams." The persistent plea to "keep oil in my lamp" speaks to the parable of the wise and foolish virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13, emphasizing the importance of readiness and constant spiritual attentiveness in anticipation of a divine encounter. This anticipation culminates in the recurring declaration, "Til the city, the city of God."
The core of the song’s message lies in its depiction of the "city of God" not merely as a geographical location, but as a state of perfect fellowship and divine presence. This concept finds its ultimate expression in Revelation 21, where a "new heaven and a new earth" are described, and the "holy city, new Jerusalem" descends from God out of heaven. The lyrical emphasis on "When the Lamb will be the light" directly references Revelation 21:23: "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." This singular image powerfully conveys the absence of earthly luminaries and the all-sufficiency of Christ's radiance as the source of all illumination and truth. Furthermore, the promise of "No more sorrow, no more night" and the forgetting of "the sting of death" directly allude to Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." This future reality, where "every sadness comes untrue," is presented as the grand narrative that God is writing for His people.
The song builds to a jubilant crescendo with the imagery of a wedding. The line "And we will be married to our Bridegroom King" is a direct reference to the profound metaphor of Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as His Bride, a theme found throughout Scripture, notably in Ephesians 5:25-27, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This union signifies ultimate intimacy, consummation, and eternal rejoicing. The repetition of "Oh, what a day, what a day that will be" serves as a powerful affirmation of this glorious future, a hope that sustains believers through present difficulties. The final assertion that "all we've searched for we find / In the Lamb who is the light" encapsulates the complete satisfaction and fulfillment that is found exclusively in Jesus. "City of God" is more than just a song; it is a lyrical sermon, a call to steadfast faith, and a profound reminder of the ultimate victory and eternal joy that awaits those who are part of God's eternal kingdom, a testament to the transformative power of looking beyond the transient to the eternal.