Laying the Foundation

1 Thou, who hast in Zion laid
The true Foundation-Stone,
And with those a covenant made
Who build on that alone:
Hear us, Architect divine!
Great Builder of thy Church below!
Now upon Thy servants shine,
Who seek Thy praise to show.

2 Earth is Thine; her thousand hills
Thy mighty hand sustains;
Heaven Thy awful presence fills;
O'er all Thy glory reigns:
Yet the place of all prepared
By regal David's favored son,
Thy peculiar blessing shared,
And stood thy chosen throne.

3 We, like Jesse's son, would raise
A temple to the Lord;
Sound throughout its courts His praise,
His saving Name record;
Dedicate a house to Him
Who once, in mortal weakness shrined,
Sorrowed, suffered, to redeem,
To rescue all mankind.

4 Father, Son, and Spirit, send
The consecrating flame;
Now in majesty descend,
Inscribe the living Name:
That great Name by which we live,
Now write on this accepted stone;
Us into Thy hands receive;
Our temple make Thy throne.


Source: Church Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations #291