A Selection of Hymns ‎#CCCXXXVIII

CCCXXXVIII. On opening a place of Worship

1 In sweet exalted strains
The king of glory praise;
O'er heaven and earth he reigns,
Thro' everlasting days;
He with a nod, the world controls,
Sustains or sinks the distant poles.

2 To earth he bends his throne,
His throne of grace divine;
Wide is his bounty known,
And wide his glories shine;
Fair Salem, still his chosen rest,
Is with his smiles and presence blest.

3 Then, king of glory come,
And with thy favor crown
This temple as thy dome,
This people as thy own:
Beneath this roof, O deign to show,
How God can dwell with men below.

4 Here, may thine ears attend
Our interceding cries,
And grateful praise ascend
All fragrant to the skies:
Here may thy word melodious sound,
And spread celestial joys around.

5 Here, may th' attentive throng
Imbibe thy truth and love,
And converts join the song
Of seraphims above,
And willing crowds surround thy board
With sacred joy and sweet accord,

6 Here, may our unborn sons
And daughters sound thy praise,
And shine like polish'd stones,
Thro' long succeeding days;
Here, Lord, display thy saving power,
While temples stand, and men adore.

Text Information

• First Line: In sweet exalted strains
• Title: On opening a place of Worship
• Author: B. Francis
• Meter: As the 148th
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1792
• Topic: Worship: Public Worship; Ordination hymns; Public Religion

Tune Information

(No tune information)