The Temple Grows

In building Solomon's temple, only blocks of stone prepared at the quarry were used, and no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.

Stone upon stone, the temple rises,
quiet, no sound, but all parts fit.
God's temple grows at the master's word,
His is the plan,
And all the pieces we could not understand
Make a glorious temple.

We are his workmen
He is putting it together by our hands
We are his people
We are putting it together all our lives.

King Solomon called all the chief men of Israel together to bring the Ark of God into the temple. The priests consecrated themselves, and brought in the Ark. The people made sacrifices of many animals. The priests played on their cymbals, harps and lyres, and a hundred and twenty trumpets. They sang to the Lord: He is good. His love endures for ever.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Worship God in his temple.
This is for You, Lord, this is for You. We have made it for You.
We give ourselves to You, O Lord, we will serve You for You are holy.
The Lord, He is good, His love is for ever!

When the Ark of God had been placed in the temple, the temple was filled with a cloud, the shining cloud of God's glory. Solomon knelt with his arms outstretched, and prayed to God.

O Lord God,
there is no God like You,
in earth or in the depths of space.

You keep your promise to love your servants
Who follow your way with all their hearts.

How can You make your home with men?
The universe is too small to be your home.

O live with us, Lord, accept our praise
and listen to our prayer.

The glory of the mighty Lord filled the temple, his light and power, the Lord was there.

From 'A House for God' 1990