1 Hark! The Church proclaims her honor,
And her strength is only this:
God has laid his choice upon her,
And the work she does is his.
2 He his Church has firmly founded;
He will guard what he began.
We, by sin and foes surrounded,
Build her walls as best we can.
3 Frail and fleeting are our powers,
Short our days, our foresight dim.
We confess a choice not ours:
We were chosen first by him.
4 Though we here must strive in weakness,
Though in tears we often bend,
What his might began in meekness
Shall achieve a glorious end.
5 Onward, then, without despairing!
Calm we follow at his Word,
Thus through joy and sorrow bearing
Faithful witness to our Lord.
Source: Christian Worship (1993): a Lutheran hymnal #530
First Line: | Hark! the Church proclaims her honor |
German Title: | Dies ist der Gemeine Stärke |
Author: | S. Preiswerk |
Translator: | Catherine Winkworth |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |