“What Has Our God Required of Us?”
TEXT: Mark Ryman (2005) from Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21
TUNE: “Lasst Uns Erfreuen." Anonymous from German hymnal (1623).

What has our God required of us?
Is there some way we must adjust?
He has told us; He still tells us!
Justice and kindness are His ways.
We must walk humbly all our days...

Refrain:  Then we’ll please him—not appease Him.
Then we’ll be His; then we’ll see His Spirit in us!

Seek not to be revered by men.
Be pleased with God’s silent Amen.
He has told us; He still tells us!
Don’t let our left hand know the right
And we’ll be pleasing in God’s sight.   Refrain

Thus when we give it is to Him
Who fills our cups beyond the brim.
He has told us; He still tells us!
That giving to the least of these
Is prayer just as on bended knees.   Refrain

So when we pray, we must commit
To talk to our God in secret.
He has told us; He still tells us!
There He will hear all of our prayers—
Beyond the praise of gazing stares.   Refrain

And when we fast, we must with grace.
Anoint your head and wash your face.
He has told us; He still tells us!
These are the ways we must invest
In holy wealth forever blest.    Refrain



The copy on this page, including the hymn and commentary, is copyrighted by Mark Ryman. © 2004.
I use CYBER HYMNAL for all of my tunes, which means you can use the tune yourself. Information on
the Revised Common Lectionary may be found at both textweek.com and Vanderbilt Divinity SChool.
You may freely use these hymn lyrics and/or commentary in whole or in part for study and/or worship 
as long as you use the following citation: "©2004 Mark Ryman. More hymns at edoxy.com."
If you would, please email me, letting me know how you have used the hymn(s). That would be a blessing.
If you wish to publish this or any of my hymns, you must of course gain my permission. © Mark Ryman
HYMN INDEX

You may freely use this hymn in whole or in part for study and/or worship 
as long as you use the following citation: "©2004 Mark Ryman. More hymns 
at edoxy.com." 

If you would, please email me, letting me know how you have 
used the hymn(s). That would be a blessing.

If you wish to publish this or any of my hymns, you must of course gain my permission. 

Mark Ryman (mark@edoxy.com)