The words
Stanza 1. Glorious things of thee are spoken,Zion, city of our God!He, 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 surroundedThou may’st smile at all thy foes.
Stanza 2. See! the streams of living watersSpringing from eternal love;Well supply thy sons and daughters,And all fear of want remove:Who can faint while such a riverEver flows their thirst t’ assuage?Grace, which like the LORD, the giver,Never fails from age to age.
Stanza 3. Round each habitation hov’ringSee the cloud and fire appear!For a glory and a cov’ring,Showing that the LORD is near:Thus deriving from their bannerLight by night and shade by day;Safe they feed upon the MannaWhich he gives them when they pray.
Stanza 4. Blest inhabitants of Zion,Washed in the Redeemer’s blood!Jesus, whom their souls rely on,Makes them kings and priests to GOD:’Tis his love his people raisesOver self to reign as kingsAnd as priests, his solemn praisesEach for a thank–offering brings.
Stanza 5. Savior, if of Zion’s cityI through grace a member am;Let the world deride or pity,I will glory in thy nameFading is the worldling’s pleasure,All his boasted pomp and show;Solid joys and lasting treasure,None but Zion’s children know.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 60. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-60
