1. In the name which earth and heaven
Ever worship, praise, and fear,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
We a house have builded here.
Here with prayer its deep foundations,
In the faith of Christ did lay,
Trusting by His help to crown it
With the top-stone in its day.
2. Here as in their due succession
Stone on stone the men did place.
Thus, we pray, unseen, but surely,
Jesus, build us up in grace,
Till, as in these walls completed,
We complete in Thee are found
And to Thee, the one Foundation,
Stone and living stones, are bound.
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.
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.
5. Here in due and solemn order
Shall her ceaseless prayer arise;
Here shall 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.
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!
Hymn #632 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: 2 Chronicles 6:20
Author: John Ellerton, 1871, alt.
Tune: "O du Liebe"
1st Published in: _Musikalischer Christenschatz_, 1745
Town: Basel, 1745