Behold the temple of the Lord!
The work of God, by man abhorred,
Appearing fair and splendid;
Its walls are built in spite of foes,
And though a hostile world oppose,
The work will yet be ended.

A building this, not made with hands,
On firm foundations, lo, it stands,
For God himself has laid them;
The workmanship of God alone,
The rich materials all his own:
'Twas he himself that made them.

He builds it for his glory's sake,
Its solid frame no force can shake,
Although the world despise it;
And time, that other work destroys,
'Gainst this in vain its power employs;
The work of God defies it.

From age to age his work goes on,
The stones collected one by one;
Ere long it will be finished:
And when he works his grand design,
The temple will for ever shine
With lustre undiminished.


Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)