Classic Poem

Part I.

T HE Lord is most majestical,
Most highly to be prais'd by all
Within the city of our God,
And mansion blest by His abode.
Fair Sion hath a pleasant site,
Of earth the beauty and delight;
Upon the north-side bordering,
The city of the mighty King.
God dwells within her lofty tow'rs,
Secur'd from all assailing pow'rs.
Conspiring kings her ruin sought,
Who armed troops before her brought.

Part II.

At once they saw, admir'd and fled;
Their hearts surpris'd with sudden dread.
Such fear, such pangs possess'd our foes,
As women suffer in their throes.
At Thy command black Eurus roars,
And spreads his wrecks on Tharsian shores.
We, what we heard our fathers tell,
Have seen, who in this city dwell,
The city of our God, which He
Shall ever from destruction free.
Thy favours, Lord, with thankfulness
We in Thy temple still profess.
As is Thy Name Thou God of Might,
So are Thy praises infinite,
And stretch to earth's remotest bound,
Thy Hand for justice far renown'd.
O Sion. Judah's diadem,
You daughters of Jerusalem,
Unite your joys, and glory in
His judgment, which your eyes have seen.
Go, walk the round of Sion, tell
Her tow'rs, observe her bulwarks well;
On her fair buildings cast thine eye;
Declare it to posterity.
For God will still our God remain,
And us unto our last sustain.