Ask the Pastor: A Pentecost Hymn

26 May 2007

Upon the Plain of Shinar

L.M.

Text by Walter P. Snyder, 1957–
Genesis 11:1-9

Suggested tune: Gottlob, es geht nunmehr zu Ende

Upon the plain of Shinar stood
The sinful heirs of Adam’s fall.
They formed and fired bricks of mud
To raise a town with tower tall.
They said, “This tow’r and city bold
Shall serve as beacons for our race.
Their majesty our hearts shall hold,
To cease our straying from this place.”
Their wicked, vain, and prideful hearts
The Lord condemned: “It shall not be.
Your evil minds pervert fair arts —
You think yourselves to be like Me.
“This unity of sinful pride
Has led you to deep shame and woes.
Your evil efforts I’ve denied —
Now turn, O neighbors, into foes.
“Your tongues,” He said, “Shall speak no more
What each the other comprehends.
Your pridefulness I do abhor;
Be banished to the earth’s far ends.”
This curse upon our fathers’ pride
Its full and fell intent achieved.
Mankind was scattered far and wide
And foreign tongues were ill-received.
To join the scattered tribes again
The Son of God took human frame.
By bloody death, through bitter pain,
He reconciled us in His name.
Then came the time for Christ’s ascent
To God’s right hand, His heav’nly home.
The Holy Spirit Jesus sent,
To grow and counsel Christendom.
The Holy Spirit testifies,
“Believe in Christ; be whole again.
Forsake fore’er satanic lies
And live as one with God and men.”
Come, join in faith, each race and tribe;
Sing praise to God, the Father wise,
The Spirit, and the crucified
And resurrected Jesus Christ.

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