Church Book ‎#51

51. Open now thy gates of beauty

1 Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul, in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer;
O how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace.

2 Yes, my God, I come before Thee.
Come Thou also unto me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heaven on earth must be.
To my heart O enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now.

3 Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown:
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone.
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

4 Thou my faith increase and quicken,
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe'er temptations thicken,
May Thy Word still o'er me shine;
As my pole-star through my life,
As my comfort in my strife.

5 Speak, O Lord, and I will hear Thee;
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee,
While Thou dost Thy people feed;
Here of life the fountain flows;
Here is balm for all our woes.

Text Information

• First Line: Open now thy gates of beauty
• German Title: Thut mir auf die schöne Pforte
• Author: Benjamin Schmolk (1704)
• Translator: Miss Winkworth (1862)
• Meter: 8, 7, 7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Worship: Public Worship
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate tune #191 or #252

Tune Information

• Name: UNSER HERRSHER, UNSER KÖNIG
• Meter: 8, 7, 7.
• Key: C Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Composer from index: J. Neander, 1680