'Glorious things of thee are spoken' (hymn) written by John Newton

Glorious things of thee are spoken,

Zion, city of our God;

He, whose word cannot be broken,

Formed thee for his own above:

On the Rock of Ages founded,

What can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation's walls surrounded,

Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.


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.


[Round each habitation hovering,

See the cloud and fire appear!

For a glory and a cov'ring 

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.]


Blest inhabitants of Zion,

Washed in the Redeemer's blood;

Jesus, whom their souls rely on,

Makes them kings and priests to God.

'Tis his love his people raises

Over self to reign as kings;

And as priests, his solemn praises 

Each for a thanksgiving brings.


Saviour, if of Zion's city

I, through grace, a member am,

Let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in thy name:

Fading is the worldling's pleasure.

All his boasted pomp and show;

Solid joys and lasting treasure

None but Zion's children know.

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