The Pleasure of Public Worship

Verse 1

How pleasant, how divinely fair, O LORD of hosts, your dwellings are! With long desire my spirit faints to see the shining hosts of saints. My flesh would rest in you abode; my weary heart cries out for God: "My God! My King! Why should I stay far from the joys of endless day?"

Verse 2

The sparrow has a place to rest, and for her young provides a nest, but will my God to them alone pour out his mercy from the throne? Blest are the saints who dwell on high around your throne, above the sky; their brightest glories shine above, and all their work is praise and love.

Verse 3

Great God, attend, while Zion sings the joy that from your presence springs; to spend a day within your courts exceeds a thousand days apart. You are our sun, you bless our day; and you our shield, to guard our way from all assaults of hell and sin, from foes without and fears within.

Verse 4

All needed grace you will bestow, and crown that grace with glory too; you give all things, and you withhold no heav'nly good from upright souls. O God our King, whose sov'reign sway the glorious hosts of heav'n obey, display your grace, exert your pow'r, till all on earth your name adore.