1 Church of the living God,
pillar and ground of truth,
keep the old paths the fathers trod
in thy illumined youth.

2 Lo, in thy bosom lies
the touchstone for the age;
seducing error shrinks and dies
at light from yonder page.

3 Woe to the hands that dare,
by lust of power enticed,
to mingle with the doctrine there
the frauds of Antichrist.

4 Once to the saints was given
all blessèd gospel lore;
there, written down in words from heaven,
thou hast it evermore.

5 Fear not, though doubts abound,
and scoffing tongues deride;
love of God’s word finds surer ground
when to the utmost tried.

6 Toil at thy sacred text;
more fruitful grows the field;
each generation to the next
prepares a richer yield.

7 God’s Spirit in the church,
still lives unspent, untired,
inspiring hearts that fain would search
the truths Himself inspired.

8 Move, Holy Ghost, with might
amongst us as of old;
dispel the falsehood, and unite
in true faith and true fold.