Lord of the Worlds Above (EN 1315)

1

Lord of the worlds above, how pleasant and how fair

The dwellings of Thy love, Thine 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 Zion’s hill.

4

They go from strength to strength, through this dark vale of tears,

Till each arrives at length, till each in heaven appears;

O glorious seat, when God, our King, shall thither bring

Our willing feet!

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 Defense;

With gifts His hands are filled; 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 withholds

From those his heart approves, From pure and pious souls:

Thrice happy he, O God of hosts, whose spirit trusts

Alone in Thee.