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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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2 | The fire divine, their steps that led, Still brightly shines before us; The heavenly shield, around them spread, Is still held high, above us: The grace those sinners that subdued, The strength those weaklings that renewed, Still humbles and restores us. |
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3 | The cleaving sins that brought them low Are still our souls oppressing; The tears that from their eyes did flow Fall still, our shame confessing; As with Thee, Lord, prevailed their cry, So our strong prayer ascends on high, And gains for us Thy blessing. |
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4 | 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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5 | Ye saints to come, take up the strain, The same sweet theme endeavour! 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! |
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Thomas Hornblower Gill, 1819-1906 |