PSALM 118. v. 22, 23. Third Part. (C. M.) Christ the Foundation of his Church.
I
Behold the sure foundation-stone
Which God in Zion lays
To build our heavenly hopes upon,
And his eternal praise.
II
Chosen of God to sinners dear,
And saints adore the name,
They trust their whole salvation here,
Nor shall they suffer shame.
III
The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain;
Yet on this rock, the church shall rest,
And envy rage in vain.
IV
What tho' the gates of hell withstood,
Yet must this building rise:
'Tis thy own work, almighty God,
And wondrous in our eyes.
These five verses, from the 22nd to the 27th, contain a glorious
prophesy of Christ: I have explained them at large in the language
of the New Testament, in two distinct hymns: 1 Pet. ii. 4, 6. Behold,
I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; and he that
believeth on him shall not be ashamed—disallowed of men, but chosen of
God, and precious, Matt. xvi. 18. Upon this rock will I build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. See the
notes on the following hymns.