1.

We sing with joyful heart and tongue
The Noble Vineyard’s praises.
O ancient place, forever young.
God’s Word your banner raises.
Like shoots upon the desert tried,
Your sap and strength, by faith supplied—
And food for many you provide,
Which God before us places.
(Is. 27:1-3)

2.

To north and south, to east and west
The Noble Vineyard reaches.
And planted there, ’twill stand the test
No matter what Doubt preaches.
To mountain height and northern fjord
This vineyard spreads God’s precious Word
And brings the message of the Lord,
To live as Jesus teaches.

3.

This lovely vineyard has a mind,
Determined and discerning.
Her love is seven times refined;
Her zeal for God is burning
’Gainst haughty ways and foolishness,
Pretentious talk, self-righteousness,
The preacher’s vain high-mindedness—
Her purity won’t stand it.

4.

By day and night the Lord stands guard;
He nourishes and tends us.
Take courage though the way be hard
And Satan’s host condemns us.
Leviathan shall ever fail;
His empty threats will not prevail.
We boldly walk on heaven’s trail,
For God the Lord defends us.
(Ps. 110:7)

5.

The righteous judgments of the Lord
Resist him who opposes,
And cutting deeply like a sword,
His secret life exposes.
So all of those who will not heed,
When Jesus points to hidden need,
Will know His wrath at last, indeed,
When doors of hell He closes.
(Rom. 1:18)

6.

The Word of truth puts men to shame,
Their weakness thus revealing;
And those who’ve sought for empty fame,
It shows what they’re concealing.
Their prayers are just a cunning guise,
For sons of men are only lies;
With whitewash they their sin disguise
For honor and for money.
(2 Cor. 13:8 | Ps. 62:10)

Written by Lorentz Risnes (published in 1929)Composed by André E. M. GrétryText © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ A