1 How lovely, how divinely sweet
O Lord, thy sacred courts appear
Fain would my longing passions meet
The glories of thy presence there.

2 O, blest the men, blest their employ,
Whom thy indulgent favors raise
To dwell in these abodes of joy,
And sing thy never-ceasing praise.

3 Happy the men whom strength divine,
With ardent love and zeal inspires;
Whose steps to thy blest way incline,
With willing hearts and warm desires.

4 One day within thy sacred gate,
Affords more real joy to me,
Than thousands in the tents of state;
The meanest place is bliss with thee.

5 God is a sun; our brightest day
From his reviving presence flows;
God is a shield, thro' all the way,
To guard us from surrounding foes.

6 He pours his kindest blessings down,
Profusely down on souls sincere;
And grace shall guide, and glory crown
The happy favorites of his care.

7 O Lord of hosts, thou God of grace,
How blest, divinely blest, is he,
Who trusts thy love and seeks thy face,
And fixes all his hopes on thee!