Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
466Resource Type:
Keys included:
D
About this Hymn
Samuel Stone wrote this hymn in response to a theological controversy in his time, and also to offer his parishioners a "simple and attractive explanation" of the Apostles' Creed through a series of hymns, this one being based on the article "I believe in . . . the holy catholic church, the communion of saints" and especially picturing the church as the bride of Christ, for whom he had offered his own blood (Eph. 5:25–26).
Lyrics
Verse 1
The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation, by water and the Word. From heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
Verse 2
Elect from ev'ry nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with ev'ry grace endued.
Verse 3
'Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Verse 4
Though with a scornful wonder, men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, "How long?" and soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song!
Verse 5
Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won; O happy ones and holy! Lord give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.
The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation, by water and the Word. From heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
Verse 2
Elect from ev'ry nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with ev'ry grace endued.
Verse 3
'Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Verse 4
Though with a scornful wonder, men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, "How long?" and soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song!
Verse 5
Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won; O happy ones and holy! Lord give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Samuel J. Stone, 1866
Music: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864
Music: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864