The Church

884 Glorious Things spoken of Zion

1 GLORIOUS things of thee are spoke Zion, city of our God!

He whose word cannot be broken, Form'd thee for His own abode: On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.

2 See! the stream 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 t' 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 He gives them when they pray

4 Blest 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-offering brings.

5 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.

John Newton, 1779.

885

Sinai and Sion

1 NOT to the terrors of the Lord, The tempest, fire, and smoke; Not to the thunder of that word Which God on Sinai spoke:

2 But we are come to Sion's hill, The city of our God, Where milder words declare His will, And spread His love abroad.

3 Behold th' innumerable host Of angels clothed in light!

Behold the spirits of the just Whose faith is turn'd to sight!

4 Behold the bless'd assembly there, Whose names are writ in heaven; And God, the Judge of all, declares Their vilest sins forgiven.

5 The saints on earth, and all the dead, But one communion make;

All join in Christ, their living Head, And of His grace partake.

6 In such society as this My weary soul would rest: The man that dwells where Jesus is, Must be for ever bless'd.

Isaac Watts, 1709

886 God's Faithfulness to His Church 1 ZION stands by hills surrounded, Zion kept by power divine;

All her foes shall be confounded, Though the world in arms combine:

Happy Zion, What a favour'd lot is thine!

2 Every human tie may perish;

Friend to friend unfaithful prove;

Mothers cease their own to cherish;

Heaven and earth at last remove; But no changes Can attend Jehovah's love.

3 Zion's Friend in nothing alters, Though all others may and do; His is love that never falters, Always to its object true.

Happy Zion!

Crown'd with mercies ever new.

4 If thy God should show displeasure, 'Tis to save, and not destroy;

If He punish, tis in measure;

'Tis to rid thee of alloy. Be thou patient;

Soon thy grief shall turn to joy.

5 In the furnace God may prove thee, Thence to bring thee forth more bright But can never cease to love thee:

Thou art precious in His sight:

God is with thee, God thine everlasting light.

Thomas Kelly, 1806

887 Head of the Church 1 O Jesus Christ, most holy!

Head of the church, Thy bride!

Each day in us more fully Thy name be magnified.

2 Oh may in each believer Thy love its power display, And none among us ever From Thee, our Shepherd, stray.

Count Zinzendorf; tr. by C. G. Clemens, 1789.