518: Christ is made the sure foundation


1 Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the Church in one;
holy Zion's help for ever,
and her confidence alone.

2 All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.

3 To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.

4 Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain;
what they gain from thee, for ever
with the blessèd to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.

Text information
First Line:Christ is made the sure foundation
Translator:John Mason Neale, 1818-1866 (alt.)
Publication Date:1982
Meter:87. 87. 87
Topic:The Church
Source:Latin, ca. 7th cent.; Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861 (tr.)
Language:English
Tune information
Tune name:WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Composer:Henry Purcell, 1659-1695 (adapt.)
Composer (desc.):James Gillespie, b. 1929
Meter:87. 87. 87
Key:G Major or modal
Copyright:Descant by permission of Church Society, London.

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