Psalms for All Seasons ‎#87E

87E. Glorious Things of You Are Spoken

1 Glorious things of you are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He whose word cannot be broken
formed you for his own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake your sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
you may smile at all your foes.

2 See, the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply your sons and daughters,
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, while such a river
ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
never fails from age to age.

3 Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which God gives them on their way.

4 Savior, since of Zion's city
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in your name.
Fading are the world's vain pleasures,
all their boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasures
none but Zion's children know.

Text Information

• First Line: Glorious things of you are spoken
• Title: Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
• Author: John Newton (1779, alt.)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
• Publication Date: 2012
• Scripture:
  Psalm 87
• Topic: Biblical Names and Places: Babylon; Biblical Names and Places: Egypt; Biblical Names and Places: Ethiopia; Biblical Names and Places: Jacob; Biblical Names and Places: Philistia; Biblical Names and Places: Rahab; Biblical Names and Places: Tyre; Biblical Names and Places: Zion; Church Year: Pentecost; Elements of Worship: Baptism; Elements of Worship: Praise and Adoration; God's: Gifts; God's: Kingdom; God's: People (flock, sheep); God's: Promise of Redemption; Hymns of Praise; Mission; New Creation; People of God / Church: Unity of God's People; People of God / Church: Witnessing; Remembering; Social Justice; Songs of Zion; Unity of the Church
• Notes: Alternate tune: AUSTRIAN HYMN

Tune Information

• Name: JEFFERSON
• Composer: Alfred V. Fedak, b. 1953
• Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
• Key: g minor
• Source: W. Walker's Southern Harmony, 1835
• Copyright: Harm. © 2011 Faith Alive Christian Resouces
• Notes: This Appalachian melody should be sung with a driving rhythm. It can be accompanied equally well by organ or piano, modern praise band, traditional blue grass band, or simply with hand percussion. See also note at 87D. Guitar chords do not correspond with keyboard harmony.