“Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” is a Christian hymn written by Karen Lafferty in 1971. Its central message is the call to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness above every other concern.
The hymn is directly inspired by Scripture, especially Matthew 6:33, and its original form consists of a verse followed by a repeated alleluia refrain. Additional verses based on Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 4:4 are commonly sung with it.
Seek Ye First lyrics
1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
2 Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
3 Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds out from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
Commonly sung refrain
Allelu, Alleluia.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelu, hallelujah!
The alleluia refrain may be repeated after each verse. The original version included a single verse with a refrain of alleluias, and the verse can also be sung in canon.
Additional Scripture-based verses
Different hymnals and songbooks may include additional verses of anonymous authorship based on other biblical passages. These verses are not part of the original single-verse version, but they are frequently associated with the hymn.
Man does not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.
Allelu, Alleluia.
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia.
If the Son shall set you free
Ye shall be free indeed.
Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Allelu, Alleluia.
Let your light so shine before men
That they may see your good works
And glorify your father in heaven.
Allelu, Alleluia.
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart
He shall direct thy path
Heal all thy ways, acknowledge Him.
Allelu, Alleluia.
Biblical foundation of the hymn
The first verse draws from Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This passage provides the hymn’s main theme: placing God’s kingdom and righteousness first while trusting in God’s care.
The second verse reflects Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” The verse presents asking, seeking, and knocking as expressions of prayer, perseverance, confidence, and trust.
The third verse is based on Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3: “Man shall not live by bread alone, But by every word That proceeds from the mouth of God.” The text emphasizes the sustaining power of God’s Word rather than material provision alone.
| Hymn section | Primary Scripture reference | Central theme |
|---|---|---|
| Seek ye first the kingdom of God | Matthew 6:33 | Kingdom of God, righteousness, providence |
| Ask, and it shall be given unto you | Matthew 7:7 | Prayer, seeking, perseverance |
| Man shall not live by bread alone | Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3 | God’s Word and spiritual life |
Who wrote “Seek Ye First”?
“Seek Ye First or Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” is a Christian song inspired by Matthew 6:33. It was written in 1971 by Karen Lafferty after a Bible study on the verse at Calvary Chapel.
Karen Lafferty was born on February 29, 1948, and is an American Contemporary Christian musician from Alamogordo, New Mexico. The hymn has become one of the most well-known praise songs and has been entered in many recent hymnals.
The song is also associated with the early contemporary Christian music movement. A copyright notice identifies the work with 1972, Maranatha! Music, administered by Capital CMG Publishing.
Musical characteristics
The hymn is generally classified with an irregular meter rather than a conventional repeated metrical pattern. Hymnal records also identify the tune as LAFFERTY or SEEK YE FIRST.
Its short biblical phrases and recurring alleluias make the song suitable for congregational worship, prayer, children’s services, retreats, and all-age worship. Some hymnals describe its musical style as an ostinato prayer song or include a quodlibet, meaning an additional counter-melody can be sung with the main text.
The verse may be sung in canon, allowing different groups to begin the same melody at different times. This gives the hymn a layered texture while preserving its simple congregational character.
Seek Ye First (The Kingdom of God) | Catholic & Christian Hymn | Choir w/ Lyrics | Sunday 7pm Choir
Use in worship and hymnals
“Seek Ye First” appears in a wide range of denominational hymnals and worship collections. Its subjects include discipleship, prayer, commitment, trust, hope, guidance, the kingdom of God, God’s providence, Christian life, and the Word of God.
The hymn is occasionally included in Christian children’s songbooks. Its concise verses, repeated alleluias, and direct biblical language make it accessible for children and suitable for all-age worship.
Selected hymnal appearances
- Ancient and Modern #775 - “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”; author Karen Lafferty; Scripture references Matthew 4:4, Matthew 6:33, and Matthew 7:7; subjects include children and all-age worship, discipleship, Jesus’ teaching, the kingdom of God, and providence.
- Baptist Hymnal 2008 #524 - “Seek Ye First”; tune title LAFFERTY; irregular meter; Scripture references Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 7:7.
- Celebrating Grace Hymnal #436 - “Seek Ye First”; tune title LAFFERTY; irregular meter; subjects include obedience, proclamation, stewardship, and the church at worship.
- Chalice Hymnal #354 - “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”; tune title SEEK YE FIRST; irregular meter; Scripture reference Matthew 6:33.
- Church Hymnary, 4th ed. #641 - “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”; meter 8 5 11 and alleluias; Scripture references include Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 6:33, and Matthew 7:7-8.
- Common Praise #458 - “Seek Ye First”; irregular meter with refrain; subjects include calling and vocation and the kingdom.
- Community of Christ Sings #599 - “Seek Ye First”; Scripture reference Luke 12:32; subjects include calling and vocation, guidance, seeking, and the reign of God.
- Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #590 - “Seek ye first”; irregular meter; subjects include Christian unity, faith, trust, commitment, grace, providence, and Lent.
- Gather, 3rd ed. #658 - “Seek Ye First”; subjects include children’s hymns, hope, the kingdom of God, pastoral care, perseverance, prayer, seeking, trust, and the Word of God.
- Glory and Praise, 3rd ed. #613 - “Seek Ye First”; subjects include Christian life, courage, faith, hope, meditation, prayer, providence, retreats, and trust.
- Hymns for a Pilgrim People #370 - “Seek Ye First”; subjects include assurance, commissioning, commitment, guidance, hope, obedience, prayer, promise, and the Word of God.
- Lift Up Your Hearts #899 - “Seek Ye First”; Scripture references Matthew 4:4, Matthew 6:33, and Matthew 7:7; classified among hymns about prayer.
- Lutheran Service Book #712 - “Seek Ye First”; irregular meter; Scripture references Matthew 4:4, Matthew 6:33, and Matthew 7:7.
- Moravian Book of Worship #605 - “See Ye First the Kingdom of God”; Scripture references Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 7:7-11, and Luke 12:22-32.
- Oramos Cantando = We Pray In Song #576 - “Seek Ye First (Busquen Primero)”; bilingual presentation; subjects include hope, perseverance, prayer, seeking, trust, and the Word of God.
- RitualSong, 2nd ed. #800 - “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”; irregular meter; subject: trust.
- Santo, Santo, Santo #126 - “Seek Ye First (Buscad primero)”; bilingual presentation; subjects include encouragement, Jesus Christ, justice, the kingdom of God, and the Word of Life.
Titles, tune names, and translations
The hymn is known by several closely related titles, including “Seek Ye First” and “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God.” Hymnal records may display the title as “Seek Ye First,” “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” or “See Ye First the Kingdom of God.”
The tune title is commonly listed as SEEK YE FIRST or LAFFERTY. The hymn has also appeared in translated and bilingual collections, including “Busca primero el reino de Dios,” “Seek Ye First (Busquen Primero),” and “Seek Ye First (Buscad primero).”
Copyright and authorship information
The songwriters are identified as Karen Lafferty. One publication notice gives the copyright as © 1972, Maranatha! Music, administered by Capital CMG Publishing.
Other catalog records identify the work with © 1972 CCCM Music, administered by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., and Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing, administered by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.
The original song is attributed to Karen Lafferty, while some expanded versions contain additional verses of anonymous authorship drawn from related biblical passages.