A Chosen, Precious Cornerstone

Written to the glory of God for the 50th anniversary of Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri. The tune CORNERSTONE was composed by Carl Schalk for this anniversary hymn.

1.  A chosen, precious cornerstone

     In Zion laid, as flesh and bone,

     Incarnate God Most High;

     This stone the builders would reject,

     God’s will obeyed as God’s Elect—

     For us ordained to die!

2.  This stone was set for all to see,

     As jewel of that sacred tree,

     A gem of priceless worth;

     So faith and hope could rest secure

     Upon such love, so rare and pure,

     Love bridging heav’n and earth!

3.  For Jesus is that saving Name

     The One of worth to rightly claim

     Redemption gained for all:

     Fulfilling God the Father’s plan,  

     Christ came to earth as God and man,

     Undoing Adam’s Fall.

4.  All those once lost, condemned, alone,

     God’s grace would claim and make His own:

     Washed clean, renewed, restored;

     As living stones, born from above,

     Built on that Name whose name is Love,

     On Jesus Christ our Lord.

5.  Now none who trust Christ’s holy Name

     Shall stumble or be put to shame—

     They walk in wondrous light!

     Made royal priests, a chosen race,  

     A people for the praise of grace

     That called them out of night.

6.  To God the Father, who is known

     Through God the Son, true Cornerstone,

     All laud and praise afford,

     With God the Spirit honor be,

     The Three in One, the One in Three—

     Thrice-holy, gracious LORD!