Lutheran Service Book ‎#901

901. Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty

1 Open now thy gates of beauty;
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace!

2 Gracious God, I come before Thee;
Come Thou also unto me.
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heav'n on earth must be.
To my heart, O enter Thou;
Let it be Thy temple now!

3 Here Thy praise is gladly chanted;
Here Thy seed is duly sown.
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone,
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

4 Thou my faith increase and quicken;
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe'er temptations thicken;
May Thy Word still o'er me shine
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in all strife.

5 Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee;
Let Thy will be done indeed.
May I undisturbed draw near Thee
While Thou dost Thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows;
Here is balm for all our woes.

Text Information

• First Line: Open now thy gates of beauty
• Title: Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
• Author: Benjamin Schmolck, 1672-1737
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78 (alt. )
• Meter: 87 87 77
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2006
• Scripture:
  Psalm 100:4
  ;
  Psalm 118:19-26
  ;
  Isaiah 26:2-4
  ;
  2 Corinthians 6:16
• Topic: Beginning of Service; House of God

Tune Information

• Name: UNSER HERRSCHER
• Composer: Joachim Neander, 1650-80
• Meter: 87 87 77
• Key: B♭ Major
• Source: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941 (Setting)