Scripture Verse

Fire came down from Heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:1–2

Introduction

Words: George A. War­bur­ton, in the Col­lege Hym­nal, by M. Wool­sey Stry­ker, 1904.

Music: Ca­non­bu­ry adapt­ed from Nacht­stück, Op­us 23, No. 4, by Ro­bert A. Schu­mann, 1839 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Solothurn tra­di­tion­al Swiss tune (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a good pho­to of War­bur­ton (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Robert A. Schumann
(1810–1856)

Lyrics

O Thou, whose glo­ry shone like fire,
Within the an­cient tem­ple walls,
Grant us our heart’s sin­cere de­sire:
Thy pre­sence in these sac­red halls.

O Thou, who, home­less, wan­dered wide
Through far Ju­dea’s fa­vored land,
Make this a home for men, and guide
The steps of all with Thy strong hand.

O Thou, who sor­row­ing in the night,
Longed for the love of hu­man friend,
Make here a spring of friend­ship bright
With Thy rich love that knows no end.

O Thou, whose life and words were one,
Strong, man­ly, ho­ly and di­vine;
Here may our fel­low men be shown
How they may live a life like Thine.