1 God before the world's foundation
Chose the Church in Christ the Son,
That the Church might share the sonship,
Holy, blameless, with Him one;
2 To the throne Christ has ascended,
God has made Him Head o'er all things
3 We, once dead in our offences,
Walking in the worldly course,
Lusts of flesh and mind fulfilling,
Satan and his hosts their source,
4 Jews and Gentiles are one body —
God His myst'ry has made known —
On apostles, prophets founded,
5 In eternal ages purposed
That His wisdom be made known,
Was the Church, His hidden myst'ry,
Where the Son could make His home;
That the saints may all in spirit
6 One in body, hope, and Spirit,
One in faith, one Lord, the Son,
One baptizing, with one Father,
That the Church may thus be one;
Christ to know in all His fulness,
7 Many gifts the Lord has given,
That the saints may be perfected
Thus we must put off the old man
8 Christ in love Himself has given
That the Church be sanctified,
Without blemish, spot, or wrinkle,
9 Body, house, new man the Church is,
Bride, and temple, and yet more:
She's the army too which fighteth
All God's foe to triumph o'er.
She is clothed with all God's armor,
In His mighty strength is strong,