University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HARP OF ZION.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


223

HARP OF ZION.

Harp of Zion, who shall make
Thee with her sweet songs awake?
Who shall touch the solemn chord
She holds sacred to the Lord?
Thou, at whose melodious voice
Saint and angel hosts rejoice,
While it rises to their King,
Who shall sweep thy holy string?
Harp of Zion, never sound,
When the cumberers of her ground
To thy chords or pedal put
Hand impure, or alien foot;
Breathe not thou beneath the breath
Of a spirit bound to death!
God will ne'er accept the strain
Answering to the touch profane.
Zion's children, pause, and think,—
Will your anthems rise, or sink,
When the hand of Mammon plays,
While his tongues but mock her praise,
Kindling with but earthly fire
Numbers that a heavenly choir
Would with holy awe repeat,
Bowing at Jehovah's feet?

224

Zion's sons and daughters, who
Should enounce your songs, but you?
Who, but spirits that abide
Steadfast on their Saviour's side,
Can your praise and glory give
Unto Him in whom ye live,
Or your hallelujahs sing
From your mountain to your King?
Harp of Zion, never wake
But for God and Zion's sake.
When the worldling fingers sweep
O'er thy chords, be mute, or weep!
Only to the minstrel found,
Heart and foot, on Zion's ground,
Are thy strains responsive given,
Meet from earth to enter Heaven.
Zion, to thy Leader nigh,
Bear thy banner pure and high;
Guard thy Harp with jealous care
From the world's polluting air!
Tuned below, to breathe above
Unto Him whose name is Love,
Harp of Zion, thou shalt sound
In the sweet, eternal round!