Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#49

49. Built on the Rock, the Church Shall Stand

1. Built on the Rock the Church shall 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 distrest,
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 who dwells in Heav'n above
Chooses to live with us in love,
Making our bodies his temple.

3. We are God's house of living stones,
Built for His own 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. Grant then, O God, your will be done,
That when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ his message is bringing:
"I know mine own, mine own know me,
You, not the world, my face shall see:
My peace I leave with you always."

Text Information

• First Line: Built on the Rock, the Church shall stand
• Title: Built on the Rock, the Church Shall Stand
• Dutch Title: Kirken den er et gammelt Hus
• Author: Nicolai F.S. Grundtvig (1837)
• Translator: Carl Døving (1913)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8.7.7.8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Matthew 16:15-16
• Topic: Epiphany: Confession of Peter
• Notes: Danish text, “Kirken den er et gammelt Hus,” by Nicolai F.S. Grundtvig, from Sang-Värk til den Danske Kirke (1837), tr. by Carl Døving, from The Lutheran Hymnary (1913).

Tune Information

• Name: KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS
• Composer: Ludvig M. Lindemann (1840)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8.7.7.8
• Incipit: 11531 345
• Key: c minor or modal
• Source: arr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941
• Notes: Tune Kirken den er et gammelt Hus by Ludvig M. Lindemann, from Christelige Psalmer (1840), arr. as in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941).