Hark! The Church Proclaims Her HonorHark! The Church proclaims her honor,
And her strength is only this:
God has laid his choice upon her,
And the work she does is his.
He his Church has firmly founded;
He will guard what he began.
We, by sin and foes surrounded,
Build her walls as best we can.
Frail and fleeting are our powers,
Short our days, our foresight dim.
We confess a choice not ours:
We were chosen first by him.
Though we here must strive in weakness,
Though in tears we often bend,
What his might began in meekness
Shall achieve a glorious end.
Onward, then, without despairing!
Calm we follow at his Word,
Thus through joy and sorrow bearing
Faithful witness to our Lord.
