Rejoice in the Lord ‎#502

502. 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;
O how blessed is this place,
filled with solace, light, and grace!

2 Here, my God, I come before thee,
come thou also down to 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
ss 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 live 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 (1732)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.77
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1985
• Scripture:
  1 Samuel 3:10
  ;
  Psalm 118:19
  ;
  Matthew 3:8
  ;
  Luke 3:8
• Topic: Beginning of Worship; Hymns with Descants
• Source: Thut mir auf die schöne Pforte

Tune Information

• Name: UNSER HERRSCHER
• Composer: Joachim Neander (1680)
• Composer (desc.): John Dykes Bower
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.77
• Key: B♭ Major
• Copyright: Descant used by permission of Hymns Ancient & Modern, UK