THOU, who hast in Zion laid The true foundation-stone, And with those a...

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 seeketh praise to show.

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 old prepared By regal David's favoured son Thy peculiar blessing shared, And stood thy chosen throne.

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.

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.