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 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 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.
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!