I built myself a house
That was so great and grand.
I built with all the best
Materials at hand.
I built the walls of straw,
The floor of stubble hay,
The beams were painted reeds,
Foundations made of clay.
In envy of my house,
All people came to gaze.
And I have all I need,
In this, the house I raised.

But then God sent a wind,
With lightening from the sky,
In leveling my house,
He leveled too my pride.
For with my hand I built,
And now He struck my hand,
And so I see my sin.
I see that I am damned.

Forgive me for my pride,
For humbled now I see,
When You hacked down my house,
It was a grace to me.
My house but blocked my view,
And limited my sights.
Now clearly I perceive,
Your holy house of life.

Your house is built in gold,
With bedrock as its root.
Of cedar beams the roof,
The walls of granite hewn.
I come before Your door,
And fall upon my knee.
Do you let sinners in?
Will You open to me?
My name’s above the door.
O Lord, how could it be?
When I was yet in sin,
You built Your house for me?

The mighty man has bent his bow,
It snapped before he dealt a blow.
The one who fed on cream and meats,
Now begs for pennies in the streets.
The woman who had many sons,
Will live to mourn for everyone.
For God controls both life and death,
Success and victory in Him rest.

He raises up and razes low,
He arms the weak against his foe,
He gives the hungry food to eat,
He makes the barren womb complete.
So rich or dispossessed are one,
For by God’s hand are these things done.
In honor or in lowliness,
God guides all so His name is blessed.