1. Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God; He whose word cannot be broken Formed thee for His own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, Thou mayst smile at all thy foes. 2. See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love, Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove. Who can faint while such a river Ever flows their thirst to assuage? Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, Never fails from age to age! 3. Round each habitation hovering, See the cloud and fire appear For a glory and a covering, Showing that the Lord is near! Thus deriving from our banner Light by night and shade by day, Safe they feed upon the manna Which He gives them when they pray.
Lyrics:
John Newton
Music:
Franz Joseph Haydn
Tune: AUSTRIAN HYMN
Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
John Newton, 1725–1807
Of the many hymn texts by the noted English clergyman, John Newton, this one is generally considered to be one of his finest and most joyous. John Newton, the convicted slave trader and sea captain, never stopped praising God for His “sure repose”— “whose Word cannot be broken”—who formed us “for His own abode.”