Scripture Verse

They gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1:26

Introduction

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John Ellerton (1826–1893)

Words: John El­ler­ton, Hymns 1888.

Music: Loch­bie Will­iam H. Monk, in The Con­gre­ga­tion­al Psalm­ist Hym­nal, by Hen­ry Al­lon, 1886 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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William H. Monk (1823–1889)

Lyrics

Praise to the heavenly Wisdom
Who knows the hearts of all—
The saintly life’s beginnings,
The traitor’s secret fall;
Our own as­cend­ed Mas­ter,
Who heard His Church’s cry,
Made known His guiding presence,
And ruled her from on high.

Elect in His foreknowledge,
To fill the lost one’s place;
He formed His chosen vessel
By hidden gifts of grace;
Then, by the lot’s disposing,
He lifted up the poor,
And set him with the princes
On high for ev­er­more.

For on the golden breastplate
Of our great priest above,
Twelve are the stones that glisten
And throbs that heart of love;
And twelve the fair foundations
Of Salem’s jasper wall;
And twelve the thrones pre­des­tined
Within her judg­ment hall.

No mystic gem is lack­ing
In that divine ar­ray;
No empty throne shall dark­en
The glo­ry of that day;
For lo! on twelve the Spi­rit,
The Fa­ther’s promise, came;
And twelve went forth to­ge­ther
To preach the saving name.

Still guide Thy Church, Chief Shep­herd,
Her losses still re­new;
Be Thy dread keys en­trust­ed
To faithful hands and true;
Apostles of Thy choos­ing
May all her rulers be,
That each with joy may ren­der
His last account to Thee!