Hymn 688

LIGHT up this house with glory, Lord;

CM *The ‘shekinah’ cloud was the visible glory of God over the mercy-seat of the Temple.

LIGHT up this house with glory, Lord; Enter, and claim Thine own; Receive the homage of our souls, Erect Thy temple-throne.

We rear no altar—Thou hast died; We deck no priestly shrine; What need have we of creature-aid? The power to save is Thine.

We ask no bright shekinah-cloud* To glorify the place; Give, Lord, the substance of that sign— The fulness of Thy grace.

No rushing mighty wind we ask, No tongues of flame desire; Grant us the Spirit’s life and light, His purifying fire.

Light up this house with glory, Lord— The glory of that love Which forms and saves a Church below, And makes a Heaven above.

John Harris, 1802-56