Our Lord an angel band prepares
To guide us on our way.
3 With malice fell the prince of hell
Would fain the Church o'erthrow,
But holy angels guard it well,
And put to shame the foe.
4 This mercy shown, O Lord, we own:
To Thee our thanks we bring;
And with the angels 'round Thy throne
Would endless praises sing.
[ESUS, Brightness of the Father,
Life and Strength of all who live!
In the presence of the angels,
Glory to Thy name we give:
And Thy wondrous praise rehearse,
Singing in harmonious verse.
2 Blessed Lord, by their protection,
Shelter us from harm this day;
Keep us pure in flesh and spirit;
Save us from the foe, we pray:
And vouchsafe us, by Thy grace,
In Thy paradise a place.
3 Glory to th' almighty Father,
Let our voices now repeat;
Glory to the great Redeemer;
Glory to the Paraclete;
Three in One, and One in Three,
Throughout all eternity.
STARS of the morning, so gloriously bright,
Filled with celestial resplendence and light,
These that, where night never followeth day,
Raise the "Thrice holy Lord!" ever and aye.
2 These are Thy ministers; these dost thou own,
Lord God of Sabaoth! nearest Thy throne.
These are Thy messengers; these dost Thou send,
Help of the helpless ones! man to defend.
3 Still let them succor us; still let them fight,
Lord of angelic hosts! battling for right:
Till, where their anthems they ceaselessly pour,
We with the angels may bow and adore.
IN Thy dear name and by Thy favor,
This day we lay the corner-stone,
To build a house, O God and Savior,
To Thee, and to Thy praise alone.
Here let Thy Spirit by Thy Word
Perform Thy work of grace, dear Lord.
2 0,let us all by faith be grounded,
Lord Jesus Christ, on Thee alone;
That in our midst Thy praise be sounded,
Who art the Church's Corner-stone.
To keep us in Thy faith and fear,
Build Thee and us a temple here.
3 Accept our off'rings, we implore Thee,
And bless the work we have begun;
To Thee alone and to Thy glory
This building consecrate, when done;
Then will we hither come, and raise
Our hearts to Thee in thanks and praise.
4 Through saving faith preserve us ever
In Thy pure Word and Sacrament;
Be with us all, forsake us never;
To serve Thee make our hearts intent;
And when we die, O grant that we
Be found in cov'nant grace with Thee.
REAT God! a blessing from Thy throne
Grant us, who lay this corner-stone
To build a church, in which Thy Word
Is purely taught, and gladly heard.
2 The work is Thine, and not our own,
Then come, and make thy presence known!
Our pray'rs accept, our off'rings bless,
And to our labors grant success.
3 Remember, Lord, what Thou hast done
For us, through Christ, Thine own dear Son,
From sin and death to set us free,
And win us unto heaven and Thee.
4 We are the people of Thy choice;
And while we in this grace rejoice,
Our prayer is this, and constant care,
That others too this bliss may share.
5 Then build us here a house and home,
Where Christ to Him may bid us come,
To save us all with grace divine,
That we may be forever Thine.
God, the Father, laid secure;
Grounded on it our salvation
By His Word of promise sure.
Though the wrath of Satan rages
Now and ever, as of yore,
Built upon this Rock of Ages
Stands the Church forevermore.
2 God in Christ, with man united,
Died the death which justice sought,
Hell dismayed, and heaven delighted,
Saw what sov'reign mercy wrought.
God the Son wrought our salvation
By the ransom of His blood:
This is our secure foundation,
This our everlasting good.
3 0 Thou theme of patriarch's story,
Israel's Hope, and David's Son,
Prophets' and apostles' glory,
God and Man, forever One!
Every knee shall bow before Thee,
Every tongue confess Thee Lord.
Rock of Ages, we adore Thee,
Mighty God, Incarnate Word.
'TIS a marvel in our eyes
How the Lord rebukes the wise:
Whom the builders would not own-
He is made the Corner-Stone!
What seems naught, and men reject,
Is before our God elect;
Thus the Gospel's hidden store
Pales the wit of earthly lore.
2 While the vain and worldly-wise
For its beauty have no eyes,
And in trust repose their stay
That at last must all give way,
Zion looks unto the Lord,
And by faith leans on His Word:
Joys in grace that will avail,
When both heart and flesh shall fail.
3 Others may their virtues press,
On attainments lay great stress;
Zion knows of grace alone
And the merits that atone,
Doth an Only Name confess
As her strength and righteousness:
Christ, whom builders would not own,
Is her precious Corner-stone.
OPEN now Thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer;
|