Sweet place; sweet place alone!
The court of God most high,
The heaven of heavens, the throne
Of spotless majesty! Refrain O happy place!
When shall I be, my God, with Thee,
To see Thy face? The stranger homeward bends,
And sigheth for his rest:
Heaven is my home, my friends
Lodge there in Abraham’s breast. Refrain Earth’s but a sorry tent,
Pitched but a few frail days,
A short leased tenement;
Heaven’s still my song, my praise. Refrain No tears from any eyes
Drop in that holy choir:
But death itself there dies,
And sighs themselves expire. Refrain There should temptations cease,
My frailties there should end.
There should I rest in peace
In the arms of my best friend. Refrain Jerusalem on high
My song and city is,
My home whene’er I die,
The center of my bliss. Refrain Thy walls, sweet city! thine
With pearls are garnished,
Thy gates with praises shine,
Thy streets with gold are spread. Refrain No sun by day shines there,
No moon by silent night.
O no! these needless are;
The Lamb’s the city’s light. Refrain There dwells my Lord, my King,
Judged here unfit to live;
There angels to Him sing,
And lowly homage give. Refrain The patriarchs of old
There from their travels cease:
The prophets there behold
Their longed for Prince of peace. Refrain The Lamb’s apostles there
I might with joy behold:
The harpers I might hear
Harping on harps of gold. Refrain The bleeding martyrs, they
Within those courts are found;
All clothed in pure array,
Their scars with glory crowned. Refrain Ah me! ah me! that I
In Kedar’s tents here stay;
No place like this on high;
Thither, Lord! guide my way. Refrain |
