Lyrics
1. Lord of the worlds above,
how pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
Thine earthly temples are!
To Thine abode,
my heart aspires
with warm desires
To see my God.
2. There is Thy throne of grace,
The virtue of the blood;
There lives before Thy face
Our great High Priest, O God;
His name our plea,
We now draw near
In holy fear,
To worship Thee.
3. The sparrow for her young
with pleasure seeks a nest,
And wand’ring swallows long
to find their wonted rest:
My spirit faints
With equal zeal
to rise and dwell
Among thy saints.
4. O happy souls that pray
here God appoints to hear!
O happy men that pay
their constant service there!
They praise Thee still;
and happy they
that love the way
To Zion’s hill.
5. They go from strength to strength,
through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length,
till each in heaven appears;
O glorious seat,
when God, our King,
shall thither bring
Our willing feet!
6. To spend one sacred day
where God and saints abide,
Affords diviner joy
than thousand days beside:
Where God resorts,
I love it more
to keep the door
Than shine in courts.
7. God is our Sun and Shield,
our Light and our Defense;
With gifts His hands are filled;
we draw our blessings thence.
He shall bestow
on Jacob’s race
peculiar grace
And glory too.
8. The Lord his people loves;
His hand no good withholds
From those his heart approves,
From pure and pious souls:
Thrice happy he,
O God of hosts,
whose spirit trusts
Alone in Thee.
9. ** alt verses
10. Lord of the worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
The heavenly mansions are!
To Thine abode
Our hearts aspire,
With warm desire
To see our God.
11. O happy souls that pray
where God delights to hear!
O happy men that pay
their constant service there!
They praise Thee still;
and happy they
who love the way
To Zion’s hill.
12. O happy souls that pray
to Him that heareth prayer!
O happy men that pay
their constant service there!
They praise Thee still;
and happy they
who love the way
To Zion’s hill.
13. We go from strength to strength
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length,
And safe in heaven appears:
O glorious seat,
Where God the King
Shall shortly bring
Our willing feet.
14. They go from strength to strength,
though oft through pain and tears,
Till each arrives at length,
till each in heaven appears;
O glorious seat,
Our God, our King,
shall thither bring
Our willing feet!