Scripture Verse

He…said unto them, Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. Matthew 19:4–5

Introduction

Words: Hen­ry J. Thomp­son, in Church Hymns (So­cie­ty for Pro­mot­ing Chris­tian Know­ledge, 1871).

Music: Edg­bas­ton Ti­mo­thy R. Mat­thews, 1871 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Thomp­son (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Mat­thews,

portrait
Timothy R. Matthews (1826–1910)

Lyrics

Christ, we come be­fore Thee
On this hap­py day;
Thine all price­less bless­ing
Grant us now we pray;
With this Chris­tian bride­groom,
With this Chris­tian bride,
Be Thou ev­er pre­sent,
Lord, and Life, and Guide.

Thou didst take our na­ture,
As a bride to be,
One with Thee, O Sav­ior,
Through eter­ni­ty;
Thou didst, as a bride­groom,
Wed Thy Church; and still
She re­flects Thy glo­ry,
Loving all Thy will.

Grant to Chris­tian bride­grooms
Such true love as Thine;
Grant to brides thus mar­ried
Like the Church to shine:
So shall life be glad­ness,
With Thee at their side;
All its joys and sor­rows
In Thee sanc­ti­fied.

For this first of bless­ings,
Dowry from above,
Bliss of holy mar­ri­age,
Joy of wed­ded love,
Father, Son and Spi­rit,
Unto Thee we raise,
Heart and voice unit­ing,
Now our thank­ful praise.