Author: Catherine Winkworth; Benjamin Schmolk Hymnal: Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church #420 (1917) Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7 Lyrics: 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 blesséd 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 temptations thicken,
May Thy Word still o'er me shine,
As my pole-star through my life,
As my comfort in the strife.
5 Speak, O God, 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.
Amen. Topics: Times and Seasons At the Opening of Service Languages: English Tune Title: NEANDER
Open now thy gates of beauty