Built on the Rock

Built on the Rock

Text written by Nikolai F. S. Grundvig (1783-1872), translated by Carl Doving (1867-1937) adapted

Sung to KIRKEN DEN ER ET, composed by Ludvig M. Lindeman (1812-1887)

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

V. 1 Built on the Rock the Church shall stand,

Even when steeples are falling;

Crumbled have spires in every land,

Bells still are chiming and calling

Calling the young and old to rest,

Calling the souls of those distressed,

Longing for life everlasting.

1 Kings 8:27 But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 

Acts 7:48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands....

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 

V. 2 Not in our temples made with hands

God, the Almighty, is dwelling;

High in the heav'ns His temple stands,

All earthly temples excelling.

Yet He who dwells in heav'n above

Deigns to abide with us in love,

Making our bodies His temple.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, 

there am I with them.

1 Peter 2:5 ...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

V. 3 We are God's house of living stones,

Built for His own habitation;

He fills our hearts, His humble thrones,

Granting us life and salvation.

Were two or three to seek His face,

He in their midst would show His grace,

Blessings upon them bestowing.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

V. 4 Yet in this house, an earthly frame,

Jesus His children is blessing;

Hither we come to praise His name,

Faith in our Savior confessing.

Jesus to us His Spirit sent,

Making with us His covenant,

Granting His children the kingdom.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

V. 5 Thro' all the passing years, O Lord,

Grant that, when church bells are ringing,

Many may come to hear God's Word

Where He this promise is bringing:

I know My own, My own know Me:

You, not the world, My face shall see;

My peace I leave with you. Amen.