I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the old hymns.
Today’s song is Christ is Made the Sure Foundation from the 7th‑century
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 forever,
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 You,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with accustomed lovingkindness,
hear Your servants as they pray;
and Your fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
4 Lord, here grant to all Your servants
what they ask of You to gain,
what they gain from You, forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in Your glory
evermore with You to reign.
5 Praise and honor to the Father,
praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
one in might, and one in glory,
while unending ages run.
It’s very much associated with traditional high churches. Many evangelical churches that I attended throughout my life weren’t at all traditional. Some of my friends hated anything traditional. But I quite like this hymn. In verse 3, people might understand “this temple” in different ways. Some might see it as a building. But in the New Testament period, people rather than buildings are the important thing. The Holy Spirit dwells in people rather than buildings. Yet, I can understand why people might associate a building with worship and why being in a building might make someone feel that they’re in the presence of God. But we should learn to feel God’s presence everywhere, especially when we’re with God’s people, be it in a house, school building, the open air, or a cathedral.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Here are some other versions:
Hibernia Gospel 