For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore
Peace be within this sacred place,
And joy a constant guest;
With holy gifts and heavenly grace
Be her attendants blest!
I was glad when they said to me,“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”2 Our feet have been standingWithin your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is builtAs a city that is compact together,4 Where the tribes go up,The tribes of the Lord,[a]To the Testimony of Israel,To give thanks to the […]
The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain;
Yet on this Rock the Church shall rest, And envy rage in vain
Blest are the men whose hearts are set
To find the way to Zion’s gate;
God is their strength, and through the road
They lean upon their helper God.
Yes, Lord, help us against our enemies, for man’s help is useless.
With joy thy people stand
On Zion’s chosen hill,
Proclaim the wonders of thy hand,
And counsels of thy will.
Oft have our fathers told,
our eyes have often seen,
how well our God secures the fold
where His own sheep have been
Oh happy hour, when thou shalt rise
To his fair palace in the skies,
And all thy sons (a num’rous train)
Each like a Prince in glory reign.
Thy laws, O God, are right;
Thy throne shall ever stand;
And thy victorious gospel proves
A sceptre in thy hand