The River of Life

Verse 1

Great source of being and of love, Thou waterest all the worlds above, And all the joys we mortals know From Thine exhaustless fountain flow.

Verse 2

A sacred spring at Thy command From Zion’s mount, in Canaan’s land, Beside Thy temple, cleaves the ground, And pours its limpid stream around.

Verse 3

The limpid stream with sudden force Swells to a river in its course; Through desert realms its windings play, And scatter blessings all the way.

Verse 4

Close by its banks in order fair The blooming trees of life appear; Their blossoms fragrant odors give, And on their fruit the nations live.

Verse 5

To the dead sea the waters flow, And carry healing as they go; Its poisonous dregs their power confess, And all its shores the fountain bless.

Verse 6

Flow, wondrous stream with glory crowned, Flow on to earth’s remotest bound; And bear us on thy gentle wave To Him, who all thy virtues gave.