The Cyber Hymnal ‎#4110

4110. Lord of the Worlds Above

1. Lord of the worlds above, how pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love, Thine earthly temples are!
To Thine abode, my heart aspires with warm desires
To see my God.

2. The sparrow for her young with pleasure seeks a nest,
And wandering swallows long to find their wonted rest:
My spirit faints with equal zeal to rise and dwell
Among thy saints.

3. O happy souls that pray where God appoints to hear!
O happy men that pay their constant service there!
They praise Thee still; and happy they that love the way
To Zion’s hill.

4. They go from strength to strength, through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length, till each in Heaven appears;
O glorious seat, when God, our King, shall thither bring
Our willing feet!

5. To spend one sacred day where God and saints abide,
Affords diviner joy than thousand days beside:
Where God resorts, I love it more to keep the door
Than shine in courts.

6. God is our sun and shield, our light and our defense;
With gifts His hands are filled; we draw our blessings thence.
He shall bestow on Jacob’s race peculiar grace
And glory too.

7. The Lord His people loves; His hand no good withholds
From those His heart approves, from pure and pious souls:
Thrice happy he, O God of hosts, whose spirit trusts
Alone in Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord of the worlds above, how pleasant and how fair
• Title: Lord of the Worlds Above
• Author: Isaac Watts (1719)
• Meter: 66.66.88
• Language: English
• Source: The Psalms of David, 1719
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: LAUS DEO, John H. Gower, 1895

Tune Information

• Name: DARWALL'S 148TH
• Composer: John Darwall (1770)
• Meter: 66.66.88
• Incipit: 13153 17654 32231
• Key: D Major
• Source: The New Universal Psalmodist, by Aaron Williams, 1770
• Copyright: Public Domain