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Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
1. Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for God who answers prayer;
O how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace.
2. Gracious God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also down to me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heaven on earth must be;
To my heart O enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now.
3. Speak, O Lord, and I will hear Thee,
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee,
While Thou dost Thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows,
Here is balm for all our woes.
WORDS: Benjamin Schmolck, 1732
MUSIC: Trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1863Joachim Neander, 1680 Harm. The Chorale Book for England, 1863; alt. Desc. John Dykes Bower (1905-1981)
Scripture: Psalm 118:19
Theme: Morning and Opening Hymns