432. Built on the Rock

1 Built on the Rock the Church doth stand,
Even when steeples are falling;
Crumbled have spires in every land,
Bells still are chiming and calling;
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the soul distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.

2 Surely in temples made with hands,
God, the Most High, is not dwelling,
High above earth His temple stands,
All earthly temples excelling;
Yet He whom heavens cannot contain
Chose to abide on earth with men,
Built in our bodies His temple.

3 We are God's house of living stones,
Builded for His habitation;
He through baptismal grace us owns,
Heirs of His wondrous salvation;
Were we but two His name to tell,
Yet He would deign with us to dwell,
With all His grace and His favor.

4 Now we may gather with our King;
E'en in the lowliest dwelling;
Praises to Him we there may bring,
His wondrous mercy forth-telling;
Jesus His grace to us accords,
Spirit and life are all His words,
His truth doth hollow the temple.

5 Still we our earthly temples rear,
That we may herald His praises;
They are the homes where He draws near
And little children embraces,
Beautiful things in them are said,
God there with us His covenant made,
Making us heirs of His Kingdom.

Amen.

Text Information
First Line: Built on the Rock the Church doth stand
Title: Built on the Rock
Translator: Carl Doving (1909)
Author: Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (1837)
Meter: 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8.
Publication Date: 1955
Scripture: ;
Topic: Christ: Incarnation; Church, The; Dedication Services: Of a Church
Copyright: Words and music from The Lutheran Hymnary. Used by permission of Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Tune Information
Name: BUILT ON THE ROCK
Composer: Ludvig M. Lindeman (1812-1887)
Meter: 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8.
Key: d minor
Copyright: Words and music from The Lutheran Hymnary. Used by permission of Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minnesota.



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