This hymn was inspired by the theme of the 2022 meeting of the Hymn Society in the USA and Canada. It draws on different biblical images of ideal times and places: the Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11), the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2) and the new Jerusalem (Revelation 4 & 21). It is written in a Contemporary Christian style perhaps similar to that of the Rend Collective or Robin Mark. This song is found at #126 in the 2025 United Church of Canada publication, Then Let Us Sing! Note that the recording is a semitone higher than the written music, and modulates up another semitone for the last verse.

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THE WORLD GOD IMAGINES   Words and Music: David Kai ©2022

The lion and bear, like the cattle will graze

This is the world God imagines

When wolf lies with lamb we will all be amazed

This is the world God imagines

CHORUS:

No hurt or destruction in this holy place

Where justice and peace are flowing free

The earth will be full of the knowledge of God

This is the world God imagines

A garden creation, we’ll tend it with care

Work for the world God imagines

Its harvest of plenty with all we will share

Work for the world God imagines

CHORUS:

No hurt or destruction in this holy place

Where justice and peace are flowing free

The earth will be full of the knowledge of God

Work for the world God imagines

A heavenly city, its courts filled with praise

Sing for the world God imagines

Surrounding the Lamb grateful voices we’ll raise

Sing for the world God imagines

CHORUS:

No hurt or destruction in this holy place

Where justice and peace are flowing free

The earth will be full of the knowledge of God

Sing for the world God imagines

The Spirit of God lives among us today

To bring the world God imagines

While Jesus walks with us to guide all our ways

To bring the world God imagines

CHORUS:

No hurt or destruction in this holy place

Where justice and peace are flowing free

The earth will be full of the knowledge of God

This is the world God imagines

This is the world God imagines

This is the world God imagines.