And earth draws near to heaven!

2 Lord, in Thy sacred hour,

Within Thy courts we bend;
And bless Thy love, and own Thy power,

Our Father and our Friend.

3 But Thou art not alone

In courts by mortals trod; Nor only is the day Thine own

When crowds adore their God;

4 Thy temple is the arch

Of yon unmeasured sky;
Thy Sabbath the stupendous march

Of vast eternity.

5 Lord, may a holier day

Dawn on Thy servants' sight;
And grant us in Thy courts to pray

Of pure unclouded light.

Stephen G, Bulfinch, 1832

1
SAI
AFELY through another week

God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek,

Waiting in His courts to-day; Day of all the week the best,

Emblem of eternal rest. 2 While we pray for pardoning grace,

Through the dear Redeemer's name, Show Thy reconciled face;

Take away our sin and shame; From our worldly cares set free, May we rest this day in Thee.

3 Here we come Thy name to praise,

Let us feel Thy presence near; May Thy glory meet our eyes,

While we in Thy house appear: Here afford us, Lord, a taste

Of our everlasting feast. 4 May Thy gospel's joyful sound

Conquer sinners, comfort saints; May the fruits of grace abound,

Bring relief for all complaints: Thus may all our Sabbaths prove Till we join the Church above.

John Newton, 1774: alt.