Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God. God, whose word cannot be broken, formed thee for his own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, what can shake thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, thou may'st smile at all thy foes. See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love, well supply thy sons and daughters and all fear of want remove. Who can faint while such a river ever flows their thirst to assuage? Grace, which like the Lord, the giver, never fails from age to age Round each habitation hov'ring, See the cloud and fire appear! For a glory and a cov'ring, 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 He gives them when they pray. Bless'd inhabitants of Zion, Wash'd in the Redeemer's blood! Jesus, whom their souls rely on, Makes them kings and priests to God. 'Tis His love His people raises Over self to reign as kings, And as priests, His solemn praises Each for a thank-off'ring brings. Saviour, if of Zion's city I through grace a member am, Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name: Fading is the worldling's pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show: Solid joys and lasting treasure, None but Zion's children know. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STORY OF THE ASHES AND THE FLAME by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON NAPEOLON'S FAREWELL; FROM THE FRENCH by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SNAKE by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE PARTING by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE THE BIRDS: THE BIRDS' LIFE by ARISTOPHANES |