1 Built on the Rock the Church doth stand
Even when steeples are falling;
Crumbled have spires in ev'ry land,
Bells still are chiming and calling,
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the soul distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.
2 Surely in temples made with hands
God, the Most High, is not dwelling;
High above earth His temple stands,
All earthly temples excelling.
Yet He whom heav'ns cannot contain
Chose to abide on earth with men--
Built in our bodies His temple.
3 We are God's house of living stones,
Builded for His habitation;
He through baptismal grace us owns
Heirs of His wondrous salvation;
Were we but two His name to tell,
Yet He would deign with us to dwell,
With all His grace and His favor.
4 Now we may gather with our King
E'en in the lowliest dwelling;
Praises to Him we there may bring,
His wondrous mercy forthtelling;
Jesus His grace to us accords,
Spirit and life are all His words,
His truth doth hallow the temple.
5 Still we our earthly temples rear
That we may herald His praises;
They are the homes where He draws near
And little children embraces;
Beautiful things in them are said,
God there with us His cov'nant made,
Making us heirs of His kingdom.
6 Here stands the font before our eyes,
Telling how God did receive us;
Th'altar recalls Christ's sacrifice
And what His table doth give us;
Here sounds the Word that doth proclaim
Christ yesterday, today, the same,
Yea, and for aye our Redeemer.
7 Grant then, O God, where'er men roam,
That, when the church-bells are ringing,
Many in Jesus' faith may come
Where He His message is bringing:
"I know mine own, mine own know me,
Ye, not the world, my face shall see;
My peace I leave with you, Amen."
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
