Lord of the Worlds Above

Lord of the worlds above,
how pleasant and how fair
the dwellings of thy love,
thine earthly temples, are:
to thine abode my heart aspires,
with warm desires to see my God.

O happy souls that pray
where God appoints to hear!
O happy men that pay
their constant service there!
They praise thee still; and happy they
that love the way to Zion's hill.

They go from strength to strength,
through this dark vale of tears,
till each arrives at length,
till each in heav'n appears:
O glorious seat, when God, our King,
shall thither bring our willing feet!

God is our sun and shield,
our light and our defense;
with gifts his hands are filled;
we draw our blessings thence.
Thrice happy he, O God of hosts,
whose spirit trusts alone in thee.