1 Lord of the Worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The Dwellings of thy Love,
Thy earthly Temples are:
To thine Abode
My Heart aspires,
With warm Desires
To see my GOD.
2 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.
3 O happy Souls that pray
Where 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 Sion's Hill!
4 They go from Strength to Strength,
Through this dark Vale of Tears,
'Till each arrives at length,
'Till each in Heav'n appears:
O glorious Seat,
When GOD our King
Shall thither bring
Our willing Feet!
Pause.
5 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.
6 GOD is our Sun and Shield,
Our Light and our Defence;
With Gifts his Hands are fill'd,
We draw our Blessings thence;
He shall bestow
On Jacob's Race
Peculiar Grace,
And Glory too.
7 The Lord his People loves;
His Hand no Good with-holds
From those his Heart approves,
From pure and pious Souls:
Thrice happy he,
O GOD of Hosts,
Whose Spirit trusts
Alone in Thee.