Classic Poem

1.

How sweet thy Dwellings, Lord, how fair!
What Peace, what Bliss, inhabit there!
With ardent hope, with strong desire,
My heart, my flesh, to Thee aspire;
I burn to tread thy Courts, and Thee,
My God, the living God, to see.

2.

Eternal King, within thy Dome
The Sparrow finds her peaceful home;
With her the Dove, a licens'd Guest,
Assiduous tends her infant nest,
And to thy Altar's sure defence
Commits th' unfeather'd innocence.

3.

Blest, who, like these, from day to day
To praise Thee in thy Temple stay;
Blest, who, their strength on Thee reclin'd,
Thy Seat explore with constant mind,
And, Salem 's distant tow'rs in view,
With active zeal their way pursue:

4.

Secure the thirsty Vale they tread,
While, call'd from out their sandy bed,
As grateful show'rs from Heav'n distill'd
Which freshest, kindliest moisture yield,
The copious springs their steps beguile,
And bid the chearless Desert smile.

5.

From stage to stage advancing still,
Behold them reach fair Sion 's hill,
And prostrate at her hallow'd shrine,
Adore the Majesty divine,
Where thy refulgent glory spreads
Its purest splendors o'er their heads.

6.

O Thou, whom Heav'n's high Hosts revere
God of our Fathers, bow thine ear:
Look down, our only Hope! look down;
Behold us, but without a frown;
And let thy beams, in mercy shed,
Stream copious on th' anointed head.

7.

One day if in thy Courts I dwell,
That day a thousand shall excel;
Far happier lot on Thee to wait,
And guard th' approaches of thy gate,
Than with the impious sons of Pride
In rich pavilions to abide.

8.

Thou, Lord, art Israel 's Sun and Shield;
Thy Love shall grace and glory yield,
Nor e'er permit the pious train
Thy gifts to ask, and ask in vain.
Blest, who in confidence of pray'r
To Thee, great God, resign their care.