God of wild and urgent Gospel

1.
God of wild and urgent Gospel,
Breathing life through wind and flame,
Mark your herald strides before us,
Crying out your holy Name.
As the Chi‑Rho bursts with radiance
On Kells’ bright and sacred page,
Christ breaks in with fierce compassion,
Stirring hearts in every age.

2.
Lion‑strength of ancient promise,
Mark’s own sign in golden hue;
Peacocks spread their wings of glory,
Telling life made ever new.
Cats keep watch beside the Gospel,
Guarding bread with steady grace;
Shape our lives into an icon
Of your love for every place.

3.
Christ who heals with swift compassion,
Touching wounds we dare not show,
Walk our fields of grief and gladness,
Where the Barrow’s waters flow.
Otters rise with fish of mercy,
Birds entwine in circling flight;
Trace your hope through all our stories,
Turning darkness into light.

4.
Spirit, drive us out in witness,
As you stirred the Lord of grace;
Send us forth with Mark’s bold telling
To the edges of this place.
May our lives become your Gospel—
Like a carpet page aflame;
Till the world is interwoven
With the glory of your Name.

Hymn information

First line: God of wild and urgent Gospel
Text: Michael McFarland Campbell
metre: 87 87 D
Theme: St Mark

Reflection

Drawn from the Gospel of Mark and the luminous Book of Kells, this hymn celebrates Christ’s compassion, the Spirit’s fire, and God’s presence in all creation. With vivid images of lions, peacocks, waters, and otters, it calls us to live boldly, love faithfully, and let the Gospel shine through our lives.

Copyright 

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

Written recently and shared here as part of the NeuroDivine hymn collection.