424. We come unto our fathers' God
8.7.8.7.8.8.7
To God On High:
Plainsong, 10th cent.;
Adapted, Valten Schumann, 1539;
harm. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Thomas H. Gill, 1868
We come unto our fathers' God: Their Rock is our salvation; The eternal arms, their dear abode, We make our habitation; We bring thee, Lord, the praise they brought, We seek thee as thy saints have sought In every generation. | The fire divine their steps that led Still goeth bright before us, The heavenly shield, around them spread, Is still high holden o'er us; The grace those sinners that subdued, The strength those weaklings that renewed, Doth vanquish, doth restore us. | 386 Their joy unto their Lord we bring, Their song to us descendeth; The Spirit who in them did sing To us his music lendeth: His song in them, in us, is one; We raise it high, we send it on-- The song that never endeth. | Ye saints to come, take up the strain, The same sweet theme endeavour; Unbroken be the golden chain! Keep on the song for ever! Safe in the same dear dwelling-place, Rich with the same eternal grace, Bless the same boundless Giver. | |