Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty

Text written by Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

Sung to UNSWER HERRSCHER, composed by Joachim Neander (1650-1680)

Psalm 119:19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

V. 1 Open now Thy gates of beauty,

Zion, let me enter there,

Where my soul in joyful duty

Waits for God who answers prayer.

Oh, how blessed is this place,

Filled with solace, light, and grace!

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 Gracious God, I come before Thee;

Come Thou also unto me;

Where we find Thee and adore Thee,

There a heav'n on earth must be.

To my heart, oh, enter Thou,

Let it be Thy temple now!

V. 3 Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,

Here Thy seed is duly sown;

Let my soul, where it is planted,

Bring forth precious sheaves alone.

So that all I hear may be

Fruitful unto life in me.

Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 

V. 4 Thou my faith increase and quicken,

Let me keep Thy gift divine;

Howsoe'er temptations thicken,

May Thy Word still o'er me shine

As my guiding star through life,

As my comfort in all strife.

1 Samuel 3:10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 

V. 5 Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,

Let Thy will be done indeed;

May I, undisturbed, draw near Thee

While Thou dost Thy people feed

Here of life the fountain flows;

Here is balm for all our woes.