Behold the Sure Foundation-Stone
Behold the sure Foundation-stone
Behold the Sure Foundation-Stone is a hymn text by Nicolai Grundtvig (1837) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Composite English translation. Found in tlh 460.
The hymn presents Christ as the rejected stone (Psalm 118:22) who becomes the chief cornerstone of God's building—the Church. This reflects Lutheran Christology and ecclesiology: Christ is the foundation and sustaining reality of the Church's life, confessed through word and sacrament.
History & Background
Written by Nicolai Grundtvig in 1837, this Danish hymn reflects Grundtvig's emphasis on Christ-centered ecclesiology and his retrieval of historic Christian confession. The English translation appeared in Lutheran hymnals, particularly TLH, where it became established in Lutheran worship traditions.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 460
Translation
Bulletin Note
Nicolai Grundtvig (1783–1872), Danish pastor and hymnologist, wrote this in 1837. It reflects his vision of the Church as the gathered people of Christ, confessed through word and sacrament, built eternally on the rejected stone made chief cornerstone.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel's power by showing how God reverses human rejection: Christ the cornerstone transforms the Church's identity from scattered stones into a living building of grace.
Overview
Watts's paraphrase of Ps 118:22-23 (compare Arrebo's TLH 217). God lays the sure foundation-stone in Zion for our hope (st. 1); chosen of God, dear to sinners — those who trust their whole salvation to it will not be shamed (st. 2); scribes and priests rejected it, yet the Church rests on this rock (st. 3); though hell's gates oppose, the building must rise — 'Tis Thine own work, Almighty God' (st. 4).
Central theme: Christ the rejected stone made cornerstone, on whom the Church rests by God's work against hell's gates
Structure
Four common-meter quatrains. Foundation laid (1) — trust and no shame (2) — rejected yet founding (3) — God's work (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'They trust their whole salvation here, / Nor shall they suffer shame'; 'Tis Thine own work.'
Confessional Connections
Ps 118:22 (TLH's text). 'Behold, I am laying in Zion… a precious cornerstone… Whoever believes will not be in haste [put to shame]' (Isa 28:16; Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:6). St. 2: 'They trust their whole salvation here' — sola fide, solus Christus. St. 3: 'on this rock the Church shall rest' — Lutherans read Matt 16:18's rock as Christ and the confession of him, not the person of Peter or his successors (Tr 25-29). St. 4: 'Tis Thine own work' (Ps 118:23) — the Church's existence is God's doing (AC VII).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Church dedications; Reformation; the Church.
Historical Notes
From Watts's Psalms of David Imitated (1719), Ps 118, Part 4.
About the Tune
ST. ANNE (William Croft, 1708).
Scripture References
Ps 118:22-23 Isa 28:16 1 Pet 2:4-7 Rom 9:33 Matt 21:42 Acts 4:11-12 Matt 16:18 Eph 2:20 1 Cor 3:11
Stanza by Stanza
Look at the sure foundation-stone that God lays in Zion, on which to build our heavenly hopes and his eternal praise.
'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone' (Isa 28:16).
- Scripture
- Isa 28:16, 1 Cor 3:11
- Imagery & language
- Foundation-stone; Zion; heavenly hopes.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ the foundation.
- Connection to previous
- Foundation.
Chosen by God, dear to sinners, let the saints adore the name; they trust their whole salvation here, and they will not be put to shame.
'A living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious… whoever believes in him will not be put to shame' (1 Pet 2:4-6).
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 2:4-7, Rom 9:33
- Imagery & language
- Chosen; dear to sinners; whole salvation; no shame.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — salvation in Christ alone.
- Connection to previous
- Whole salvation.
The foolish builders, scribe and priest, reject it with contempt; yet the Church will rest on this rock, and envy will rage in vain.
'The stone that the builders rejected' (Ps 118:22; Matt 21:42; Acts 4:11). 'On this rock I will build my church' (Matt 16:18) — Christ, the confessed (Tr 25).
- Scripture
- Matt 21:42, Acts 4:11-12, Matt 16:18
- Imagery & language
- Builders reject; the rock; envy in vain.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Church on Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Rejected.
Even if the gates of hell resisted, this building must still rise. It is your own work, almighty God, and wonderful in our eyes.
'The gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Matt 16:18). 'This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes' (Ps 118:23).
- Scripture
- Matt 16:18, Ps 118:23, Eph 2:20-22
- Imagery & language
- Gates of hell; building rises; God's work.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God builds the Church.
- Connection to previous
- God's work.
Themes
Christ as foundation Church Resurrection Christological affirmation Rock of salvation