1. O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling, To tell to all the world that God is Light; That He who made all nations is not willing One soul should perish, lost in shades of night. 2. Behold how many thousands still are lying, Bound in the darksome prisonhouse of sin, With none to tell them of the Savior's dying, Or of the life He died for them to win. 3. Proclaim to every people, tongue and nation That God, in whom they live and move, is love: Tell how He stooped to save His lost creation, And died on earth that man might live above. 4. Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious; Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way; Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious; And all thy spending Jesus will repay. Chorus: Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace; Tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release.
Lyrics: Mary Ann Faulkner Thompson
Music: James Walch
Tune: TIDINGS
Meter: 11.10.11.10. with Refrain
Mary Ann Thompson, 1834–1923
Mary Ann Thompson was born in London, England, but spent most of her life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was active in the Church of the Annunciation. She wrote a number of hymns and poems, this being the only one to survive. She wrote “O Zion, Haste” out of a stressful experience in 1868. One night, as she was watching her child who was ill with typhoid fever, the desire to write a missionary hymn pressed upon her. Some have felt that perhaps Mrs. Thomson had made a covenant with God that if he would spare her child, she would consecrate him to His service.