004 The Church is Built on Jesus

The Church is built on Jesus
She is His holy bride
He makes her pure and spotless
And for her life He died

His chosen are united
As one in all the earth
They share in one communion
One Lord, one faith, one birth

But now we see division
And wolves oppress the sheep
Yet faithful ones are praying
And filled with hope they weep

The Church shall never perish
Her Lord is on her side
No enemy or traitor
Can take away His bride

Though now she faces trials
And fights a mighty war
Her longing eyes will see Him
And tears will fall no more

Supporting Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord
She is His new creation
By water and the Word
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died

Elect from every nation
Yet one o’er all the earth
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth
One holy Name she blesses
Partakes one holy food
And to one hope she presses
With every grace endued

Though with a scornful wonder
We see her sore oppressed
By schisms rent asunder
By heresies distressed
Yet saints their watch are keeping
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song

The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend
To guide, sustain and cherish
Is with her to the end
Though there be those that hate her
And false sons in her pale
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail

’Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore
Till, with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest

Yet she on earth hath union
With the God the Three in One
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly
On high may dwell with thee

Author: S. J. Stone (1866)

Additional Info

Key: A
Meter: 7.6.7.6
Drafted: 1/3/2025
Published: 1/4/2025