Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner
stone, a sure foundation.'
HRIST is made the sure foundation, m 3 To this temple, where we call Thee,
Christ the head and corner-stone,
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion's help for ever,
And her confidence alone.
2 All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation
Pours perpetual melody,
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.
Come, O Lord of hosts, to-day:
With Thy wonted loving-kindness,
Hear Thy servants, as they pray,
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.
4 Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain,
What they gain from Thee for ever
With the blessèd to retain,
mf And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.
f 5 Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One,
One in might, and One in glory.
While unending ages run.
'Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.'
HRIST is our corner-stone,
With His true saints alone
The courts of heaven are filled:
On His great love
Our hopes we place
Of present grace
And joys above.
mf 20 then with hymns of praise These hallowed courts shall ring; Our voices we will raise
The Three in One to sing,
And thus proclaim
In joyful song,
Both loud and long,
That glorious name.
m 3 Here, gracious God, do Thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower
On all who pray
Each holy day
Thy blessings pour.
4 Here may we gain from heaven
The grace which we implore;
And may that grace, once given,
Be with us evermore,
Until that day
When all the blest
To endless rest
Are called away.
'Build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.'
HOU whose unmeasured temple stands
Built over earth and sea,
Accept the walls that human hands
Have raised, O God, to Thee.
2 And let the Comforter and Friend,
Thy Holy Spirit, meet
With those who here in worship bend
Before Thy mercy-seat.
3 May they who err be guided here
To find the better way,
And they who mourn and they who fear
Be strengthened as they pray.
4 May faith grow firm, and love grow warm,
And hallowed wishes rise,
While round these peaceful walls the storm
Of earth-born passion dies.
'In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.'
2 Here as in their due succession
Stone on stone the workmen place,
Thus, we pray, unseen but surely,
Jesus, build us up in grace,
Till, within these walls completed,
We complete in Thee are found,
And to Thee, the one Foundation,
Strong and living stones, are bound.
m 3 Fair shall be Thine earthly temple;
Here the careless passer-by
Shall bethink him, in its beauty,
Of the holier house on high.
Weary hearts and troubled spirits
Here shall find a still retreat;
Sinful souls shall bring their burden
Here to the Absolver's feet.
mf 4 Yet with truer, nobler beauty,
Lord, we pray, this house adorn,
Where Thy bride, Thy Church redeemed,
Robes her for her marriage morn,-
Clothed in garments of salvation,
Rich with gems of heavenly grace,
Spouse of Christ, arrayed and waiting
Till she may behold His face.
Here in due and solemn order
May her ceaseless prayer arise;
Here may strains of holy gladness
Lift her heart above the skies;
Here the word of life be spoken;
Here the child of God be sealed;
Here the Bread of heaven be broken,
Till He come, Himself revealed.
f 6 Praise to Thee, O Master-builder,
Maker of the earth and skies;
Praise to Thee, in whom Thy temple
Fitly framed together lies;
Praise to Thee, Eternal Spirit,
Binding all that lives in one,-
Till our earthly praise be ended,
And the eternal song begun!
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