Behold the Sure Foundation-Stone
Behold the sure Foundation-stone
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.
Themes
Christ as foundation Church Resurrection Christological affirmation Rock of salvation