University of Virginia Library

How sweet thy Dwellings, Lord, how fair!
What Peace, what Bliss, inhabit there!
With ardent hope, with strong desire,
My heart, my flesh, to Thee aspire;
I burn to tread thy Courts, and Thee,
My God, the living God, to see.

Eternal King, within thy Dome
The Sparrow finds her peaceful home;
With Her the Dove, a licens'd Guest,
Assiduous tends her infant nest,
And to thy Altar's sure defence
Commits th' unfeather'd innocence.
Blest, who, like these, from day to day
Within thy House permitted stay,
Whose joyous tongue thy Mercies raise
To Hymns of gratitude and praise.
Blest, who, their strength on Thee reclin'd,
Thy Seat explore with constant mind,
And, Salem's distant tow'rs in view,
With active zeal their way pursue:
Secure the thirsty Vale they tread,
While, call'd from out their sandy bed,
(As down in grateful show'rs distill'd
The Heav'ns their kindliest moisture yield,)
The copious springs their steps beguile,
And bid the chearless Desert smile.
From stage to stage advancing still,
Behold them reach fair Sion's hill,
And, prostrate at her hallow'd shrine,
Adore the Majesty divine.
O Thou, whom Heav'n's high Hosts revere,
God of our Fathers, bow thine ear;
Look down, our only Hope! look down;
Behold us, but without a frown,
And let thy beams, in mercy shed,
Stream copious on th' anointed head.
One day if in thy Courts I dwell,
That day a thousand shall excell:
Amidst the menial tribe to wait,
And guard th' approaches of thy gate,
Far happier task my soul should find,
Than, mix'd with Men of impious mind,
To see the proud pavilion spread
Its dazzling splendors o'er my head.
Thou, Lord, art Israel's Sun and Shield;
Thy Love shall grace and glory yield,
Nor e'er permit the pious train
Thy gifts to ask, and ask in vain.
Blest, who in confidence of pray'r
To Thee, great God, resign their care.