When Jordan hushed his waters still,

And silence slept on Zion’s hill,

When Bethlehem’s shepherds, thro’ the night,

Watched o’er their flocks by starry light—

2 Hark! from the midnight hills around,

A voice of more than mortal sound,

In distant hallelujahs stole,

Wild murmuring o’er the raptured soul.

3 On wheels of light, on wings of flame,

The glorious hosts of Zion came;

High heaven with songs of triumph rung,

While thus they struck their harps and sung:

4 “O Zion, lift thy raptured eye;

The long-expected hour is nigh;

The joys of nature rise again;

The Prince of Salem comes to reign.

5 “See, Mercy, from her golden urn,

Pours a rich stream to them that mourn;

Behold, she binds with tender care

The bleeding bosom of despair.

6 “He comes to cheer the trembling heart:

Bids Satan and his host depart;

Again the day-star gilds the gloom,

Again the bowers of Eden bloom.”