Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty

1Open now Thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for God who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace!

2Gracious God, I come before Thee;
Come Thou also unto me;
Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown;
Let my soul, where it has planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone.

3Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown;
Let my soul, where it has planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone.
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

4Thou my faith increase and quicken,
Let me keep Thy gift divine;
How so-e'er temptations thicken,
May Thy Word still o'er me shine
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in all strife.

5Speak, O God, 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.