Verse 1
The voice that breathed o’er Eden,
That earliest wedding-day,
The sacred marriage blessing,
It hath not passed away.
Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid
The Triune God is with us, (Matt. 18:20)
The threefold grace is said.
Verse 2
Be present, loving Father,
To give away this bride
As Thou gav’st Eve to Adam,
A helpmeet at his side. (Gen. 2:18-24)
Be present, Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands (Matt. 19:4-6)
As Thou didst bind two natures
In Thine eternal bands. (Phil. 2:6-8)
Verse 3
Be present, Holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As Thou for Christ, the Bridegroom,
The heavenly Spouse dost seal. (Eph. 4:30, Eph. 1:13, Eph. 5:25-27, Rev. 19:7-9)
Oh, spread Thy pure wing o’er them, (Ruth 2:12, Ps. 17:8, Ps. 36:7, Ps. 91:4, Matt. 23:37, Luke 13:34)
Let no ill power find place
When onward to Thine altar
Their hallowed path they trace.
Verse 4
To cast their crowns before Thee (Rev. 4:8)
In humble sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ’s own Bride they rise. (I Thess. 4:16-17)
To Father, Son, and Spirit,
Eternal One and Three,
As was and is forever, (Rev. 1:4, Rev. 1:8, Rev, 4:8, Rev. 11:17)
All praise and glory be.