Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#194

194. I love Thy Zion, Lord

1 I love Thy Zion, Lord!
The house of Thine abode;
The Church, O blest Redeemer, sav'd
By Thine own precious blood.

2 I love Thy Church, O God!
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And graven on Thy hand.

3 Should I with scoffers join
Her alters to abuse?
No! better far my tongue were dumb,
My hand its skill should lose.

4 Oh! ne'er may I forget
Her welfare nor her woe;
Lest ev'ry joy my heart forsake,
And ev'ry grief o'erflow.

5 For her my tears shall fall;
For her my prayers ascend;
To her my cares and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end.

6 Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heav'nly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.

Text Information

• First Line: I love Thy Zion, Lord
• Author: Timothy Dwight (1800)
• Meter: S. M. No. 3
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: The Church; First Sunday after Epiphany; Tenth Sunday after Trinity

Tune Information

• Name: BETHLEHEM (Aswarby)
• Composer: Samuel Wesley (1798)
• Meter: S. M. No. 3
• Key: D Major