1 HOW PSALM LXXXIV. pleasant is Thy dwelling-place, O Lord of hosts, to me! The tabernacles of Thy grace, 2 My soul doth long full sore to go 3 O! they be blessed, that may dwell 4 Yea, happy sure likewise are they, Whose stay and strength Thou art; Who to Thy house do mind the way, And seek it in their heart. 5 As they go through the vale of tears, 6 From strength to strength they go full fast; No faintness there shall be; And so the God of Gods at last In Sion they do see. 7 For God the Lord, Light, and Defence, 8 O Lord of hosts! that man is blest, That is persuaded in his breast John Hopkins ("Old Version"), 1532. 1 HOW blest the sacred tie that binds, In union sweet, according minds; How swift the heavenly course they run, Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are one! 2 To each the soul of each how dear! What jealous love, what holy fear! How doth the generous flame within Refine from earth, and cleanse from sin! 3 Their streaming tears together flow For human guilt and mortal woe; Their ardent prayers together rise Like mingling flames in sacrifice. 4 Together both they seek the place Where God reveals His awful face; How high, how strong, their raptures swell, There's none but kindred souls can tell. 5 Nor shall the glowing flame expire, When nature droops her sickening fire; Then shall they meet in realms above; A heaven of joy, because of love. Anna Lætitia Barbauld, 1773. 1 0 O quam juvat fratres, Deus. The brethren join in love to Thee; Heaven. 5 Lord, shower upon us from above The sacred gift of mutual love; Each other's wants may we supply, And reign together in the sky. John Chandler, 1837. 1 COME, let us join our friends above, That have obtain'd the prize, Let all the saints terrestrial sing 2 One family, we dwell in Him, One Church, above, beneath, To His command we bow; Part of His host hath cross'd the flood, 3 Ten thousand to their endless home His militant embodied host 4 Our old companions in distress And eager long for our release Even now by faith we join our hands And greet the blood-besprinkled bands 5 Our spirits too shall quickly join, Oh! that we now might grasp our Guide! Charles Wesley, 1759. |