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Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

Christ is made the sure foundation

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation is a hymn text by Latin hymn, attributed to the 7th century (700) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by John Mason Neale. Found in CW21 920, CW93 531, ELH 8, bh08 356. Sung to REGENT SQUARE.

The hymn presents Christ as the living foundation of the Church, connecting to the Ephesian theology of the Church as God's household. It emphasizes the organic unity of believers as living stones built upon Christ, reflecting Lutheran understanding of the Church as the communion of saints.

History & Background

This Latin hymn originates from the 7th-century tradition, possibly connected to the dedication of churches. John Mason Neale provided the influential English translation in 1851, which became the standard version in Lutheran and Anglican hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 920
  • Christian Worship — 531
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 8
  • Baptist Hymnal — 356
  • Chalice Hymnal — 275
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 645
  • Glory to God — 394
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 518
  • Hymnal Supplement 98 — 865
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 367
  • Lutheran Service Book — 909
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 505
  • Lutheran Worship — 370
  • New Century Hymnal — 400
  • Trinity Hymnal — 344
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 466
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 559
  • Voices Together — 407
  • With One Voice — 747

Translation

John Mason Neale

Bulletin Note

This seventh-century Latin hymn connects to Ephesian theology (2:14-22), portraying the Church as God's household. Its steady meter and repeated affirmations of Christ's foundation became a staple for baptisms and church dedications throughout Christian tradition.

Preaching Connection

This hymn's image of living stones built upon Christ transforms the Law's demand for obedience into the Gospel's gift of belonging—we are built up not by our works, but by being joined to Christ through faith.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ as foundation → universal redemption → eternal security → communion of saints

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Confession of St. Peter (1×)
  • St. Matthew (1×)
  • Sts. Peter and Paul (1×)
  • Trinity 2 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 11 (2×)
  • Proper 16 (2×)
  • Epiphany 7 (1×)
  • Proper 22 (1×)
  • St. Matthew (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Church as the Body of Christ Foundation in Christ Spiritual building/temple Unity in Christ

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