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.

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.

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 Zion's hill.

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!

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.

God is our sun and shield,

Our light and our defence;

With gifts his hands are filled,

We draw our blessings thence:

He shall bestow

On Jacob's race

Peculiar grace

And glory too.

The Lord his people loves;

His hand no good withholds

From those his heart approves,

From pure and pious souls:

Thrice happy he,

O God of hosts,

Whose spirit trusts

Alone in thee.