NeuroDivine

Christ, Priest beyond all passing time

1
Christ, Priest beyond all passing time,
Whose oath the Father swore,
You stand as steadfast as the stones
That guard our island’s shore.
No lineage carved in mortal lines
Could bear the grace You bring;
Your priesthood, like the dawn on hills,
Outshines each earthly king.

2
Where holy wells in quiet fields
Still hold their healing peace,
Your mercy rises, clear and deep,
And bids our striving cease.
For laws of old could not restore
The broken heart within;
But You, the Lamb of endless life,
Have overcome our sin.

3
As ringforts circle ancient ground
To shelter kin and home,
So You encircle wandering hearts
Wherever we may roam.
Unchanging Christ, our refuge sure,
Our guide through wind and rain;
Your priesthood stands, like rooted oak,
Forever to remain.

4
So let the meadow‑sweet rejoice,
The heather lift its flame;
Let standing stones through storm and sun
Give honour to Your name.
For You, our Priest forevermore,
Reign at the Father’s side;
And through Your ceaseless intercess’n
Renew this land we stride.

Hymn information 

First line: Christ, Priest beyond all passing time
Text: Michael McFarland Campbell
Metre: DCM
Theme: Hebrews 7:11-end. Priesthood

Reflection

The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of Christ as a priest “forever,” not by ancestry or temple law, but by the oath of God and the power of an indestructible life. His priesthood does not fade with generations, nor depend on sacred buildings or inherited roles. It is constant, living, and present.

While writing this hymn, I found myself imagining that unchanging priesthood set within the familiar landscape of Ireland. Ringforts that once sheltered families, standing stones that have endured centuries of wind and rain, and holy wells quietly offering water in open fields all seemed natural images for Christ’s enduring care. Just as these places remain rooted in the land, Christ’s priesthood remains steadfast for the world.

Hebrews reminds us that Jesus “always lives to make intercession” for us. The hymn therefore ends not simply in praise, but in hope: that through Christ’s ceaseless prayer and mercy, even the land we walk and the lives we live might be continually renewed.

Copyright

© Michael McFarland Campbell. 2026. 
Permission granted for local church or parish use with attribution. Not for commercial reproduction