How amiable, Lord of hosts, How pleasant is the place

Verse 1

How amiable, Lord of Hosts, How pleasant is the place, Where thou, on earth, art wont to show The glories of thy face?

Verse 2

My soul doth long, yea, faint to see Jehovah's chosen seat; My heart, and flesh, spring up for joy, The living God to meet.

Verse 3

The birds, near to thine altars, build Their nests, for their abode; There hatch their young; O Lord of Hosts, My Sovereign, and my God.

Verse 4

O happy men, who in thy house Abide; still they'll thee praise:

Verse 5

Whose strength's in thee, and hearts are bent To travel Sion's ways.

Verse 6

Who, passing Baca's thirsty vale, Provide themselves with wells, And cisterns; which the rain from heaven, For their refreshment, fills.

Verse 7

Strengthened they go, till they, with God, In Sion's mount appear.

Verse 8

Lord, God of Hosts, my prayer regard, O Jacob's God give ear.

Verse 9

O God, who art our only shield, Look graciously on me; And, with thy wanted smiles, the face Of thine anointed see.

Verse 10

For in thy sacred courts, a Day, A thousand does excel; My God's house doors I'd rather keep, In wicked tents, than dwell,

Verse 11

Jehovah is our sun, and shield, Will grace, and glory, give; And, no good thing, will he deny, Those who uprightly live,

Verse 12

O thou, the sovereign Lord of all The Hosts in heaven, earth, sea; That man is truly blessed, who puts His trust alone in thee.