Scripture Verse

This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven. Genesis 28:17

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Williams
1802–1865

Words: Charles Gui­et, in the Pa­ris Bre­vi­a­ry, 1680 (Pa­tris ae­ter­ni So­bo­les co­ae­va). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Is­aac Will­iams in the Brit­ish Ma­ga­zine, Ju­ly 1837.

Music: St. He­le­na (Mil­grove) Ben­ja­min Mil­grove, 1769 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Gui­et or Mil­grove (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

O Word of God above,
Who fillest all in all,
Hallow this house with Thy sure love,
And bless our festival.

Here from the font is poured
Grace on each sinful child;
The blest anointing of the Lord
Brightens the once defiled.

Here Christ to faithful hearts
His body gives for food;
The Lamb of God Himself imparts
The chalice of His blood.

Here guilty souls that pine
May health and pardon win;
The Judge acquits, and grace divine
Restores the dead in sin.

Yea, God enthroned on high
Here also dwells to bless;
Here trains adoring souls that sigh
His mansions to possess.

Against this holy home
Rude tempests harmless beat,
And Satan’s angels fiercely come
But to endure defeat.

All might, all praise be Thine,
Father, co-equal Son,
And Spirit, Bond of love divine,
Where endless ages run.