O Lord of hosts, how lovely the place where Thou dost dwell! Thy tabernacles holy in pleasantness excel. My soul is longing, fainting, Jehovah’s courts to see; My heart and flesh are crying, O living God for Thee. Behold the sparrow findeth a house in which to rest, The swallow has discovered where she may build her nest; And where, securely sheltered, her young she forth may bring; So Lord of hosts, Thine altars I seek, my God, my King. Blest who Thy house inhabit, they ever give Thee praise. Blest all whom Thou dost strengthen, who love the sacred ways. Who pass through Baca’s valley, and make in it a well; There rains in shower abundant the pools with water fill. So they from strength unwearied go forward unto strength, Till they appear in Zion, before the Lord at length. O hear, Lord God of Jacob, to me an answer yield; The face of Thine anointed, behold, O God, our Shield. One day excels a thousand, if spent Thy courts within; I’ll chose Thy threshold rather than dwell in tents of sin. Our Sun and Shield Jehovah, will grace and glory give; No good will He deny them that uprightly do live. |