We Come Unto Our Fathers’ God

©Photo. R.M.N. / R.-G. OjŽda

Above:  Saint John on Patmos

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1895), Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Text (November 22, 1868) by Thomas Hornblower Gill (1819-1906)

Gill worked on this text for most of St. Cecilia’s Day, 1868.  He reported that November 22, 1868 was “almost the most delightful day of my life.”

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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.

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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.

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The cleaving sins that brought them low

Are still our souls oppressing,

The tears that from their eyes did flow

Fall fast, our shame confessing;

As with Thee, Lord, prevailed their cry,

So our strong prayer ascends on high,

And bringeth down Thy blessing.

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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.

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Ye saints to come, take up the strain,

The same sweet theme endeavor;

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.