1 Let others choose the place of mirth,
Of noise and revelry,
Where phantom joys alone have birth,
And from pursuers flee;
Let me with kindred spirits meet,
Where purer pleasures be,
Before the blood-bought mercy-seat,
Oh! the mercy-seat for me.

2 The place of prayer to me hath charms,
Which others fail to see;
"If cares distract, or fear alarms,"
To that defence I flee;
'Tis there I every grace obtain,
For every grace is free:
Oft as I need I go again--
Oh! the mercy-seat for me.

3 While wandering through this vale of wo,
Of strife and vanity,
To this retreat I daily go,
And daily pleasures see;
Nor would I quit the throne of grace,
On earth a king to be,
For earth contains no happier place--
Oh! the mercy-seat for me.