1. We come unto our fathers' God:
Their Rock is our Salvation:
The eternal arms, their dear abode,
We make our habitation:
We bring Thee, Lord, the praise they brought,
We seek Thee as Thy saints have
In every generation.
2. The fire divine, their steps that led,
Still goeth bright before us;
The heavenly shield, around them spread,
Is still high holden o'er us;
The grace those sinners that subdued,
The strength those weaklings that renewed,
Doth vanquish, doth restore us.
3. The cleaving sins that brought them low
Are still our souls oppressing;
The tears that from their eyes did flow
Fall fast, our shame confessing;
As with Thee, Lord, prevailed their cry,
So our strong prayer ascends on high,
And bringeth down Thy blessing.
4. Their joy unto their Lord we bring;
Their song to us descendeth;
The Spirit who in them did sing
To us His music lendeth.
His song in them, in us, is one;
We raise it high, we send it on
The song that never endeth!
5. Ye saints of God, take up the strain
The same sweet theme endeavour!
Unbroken be the golden chain!
Ring out the song for ever!
Safe in the same dear dwelling-place,
Rich with the same eternal grace,
Bless the same boundless Giver!