Laying the Foundation

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.