Lyrics
1. O Lord of hosts, how lovely
the place where Thou dost dwell!
Thy tabernacles holy
in pleasantness excel.
My soul is longing, fainting,
Jehovah’s courts to see;
My heart and flesh are crying,
O living God for Thee.
2. Behold the sparrow findeth
a house in which to rest,
The swallow has discovered
where she may build her nest;
And where, securely sheltered,
her young she forth may bring;
So Lord of hosts, Thine altars
I seek, my God, my King.
3. Blest who Thy house inhabit,
they ever give Thee praise.
Blest all whom Thou dost strengthen,
who love the sacred ways.
Who pass through Baca’s valley,
and make in it a well;
There rains in shower abundant
the pools with water fill.
4. So they from strength unwearied
go forward unto strength,
Till they appear in Zion,
before the Lord at length.
O hear, Lord God of Jacob,
to me an answer yield;
The face of Thine anointed,
behold, O God, our Shield.
5. One day excels a thousand,
if spent Thy courts within;
I’ll chose Thy threshold rather
than dwell in tents of sin.
Our Sun and Shield Jehovah,
will grace and glory give;
No good will He deny them
that uprightly do live.
6. O hear, Lord God of Jacob,
To me an answer yield;
The face of thine Anointed,
Behold, O God, our shield.
One day excels a thousand
If spent thy courts within;
I'll choose thy threshold, rather
Than dwell in tents of sin.
7. Our sun and shield, Jehovah,
Will grace and glory give;
No good will he deny them
That uprightly do live.
O God of Hosts, Jehovah,
How blest is ev'ry one
Who confidence reposes
On thee, O Lord, alone.