The Hymnal and Order of Service ‎#306

306. 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 Gracious God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also down to 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 temptation thicken,
May Thy Word still o'er me shine,
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in all strife.

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

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Open now thy gates of beauty
• Title: Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
• Author: Benjamin Schmolck (1734)
• Translator: Miss Catherine Winkworth
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1937
• Topic: Worship: Prayer and Praise; Sexagesima; The Day of the Presentation of Christ (Candlemas); Church, Dedications; Mystical union; Thanksgiving

Tune Information

• Name: UNSER HERRSCHER, UNSER KÖNIG
• Composer: Joachim Neander (1679)
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 7.
• Key: C Major