BEHOLD the sure foundation stone, Which God in Zion lays, To build our heavenly hopes upon, And for eternal praise.
Chosen of God; to sinners dear, Is Jesus’ precious name; We rest our whole salvation here, Nor shall we suffer shame.
Those ancient builders, scribe and priest, Rejected with disdain The One in Whom the Church would trust, And never trust in vain.
Though all the powers of hell withstood, His Church did surely rise, The house of our dear Saviour-Lord, So marvellous in our eyes.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748‡