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Ezra 3:1-7

The Altar upon Its Bases

Lyrics · Ezra

The Altar upon Its Bases

Ezra 3:1-7

Lyrics

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the Ezra collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
Ezra
Collection
Ezra
Musical styles
Uncategorized
[Verse 1] The seventh month arrives after the children of Israel settle in their cities. Jeshua son of Jozadak rises with his priestly brethren. Together they build the altar of the God of Israel. The altar is set upon its former bases. [Pre-Chorus] The people drew near, but not by careless way, Holiness ordered every word and day. [Chorus] The Altar upon Its Bases, keep the covenant in view, Every word and ordered service true. From altar, ark, and house the witness rose, The holy God alone the ending knows. [Verse 2] The Feast of Tabernacles is kept as written. Daily offerings are presented by the number required for each day. The continual burnt offering remains after the feast. Every consecrated feast of the LORD receives its offering. [Bridge] Sacrifices begin on the first day of the seventh month. The temple foundation has not yet been laid. Money is given to masons and carpenters. Food, drink, and oil purchase Lebanon cedar brought by sea to Joppa under Cyrus's grant. [Final Chorus] The Altar upon Its Bases, keep the covenant in view, Every word and ordered service true. From altar, ark, and house the witness rose, The holy God alone the witness shows. [Outro] The lamps burned low, the ordered service stayed. The covenant remembered every vow that had been made.

Named in this songJeshuaJoppaCyrus

About the passage

Ezra 3: An altar first, then a foundation and mingled voices

Ezra 3 restores worship in an order that may feel backwards at first: altar before temple, sacrifices before foundation, calendar before walls. Jeshua and Zerubbabel lead the people in rebuilding the altar on its established site, and fear of surrounding peoples remains present while morning and evening offerings begin. The chapter then turns to materials, wages, cedar, transport, and supervision, showing how a celebrated foundation depends on ordinary procurement and labor. When the foundation is finally laid, the Book of Ezra refuses to give the moment one emotion. Priests and Levites praise, many people shout for joy, and older witnesses who remember the former house weep loudly. The sounds become impossible to separate, making restoration audible as both recovery and loss at once.

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