I was glad when they said unto me,
Psalm 122:1Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Words: Levi Kneeland (1803–1834). Appeared in Select Hymns, edited by James H. Linsley & Gustavus Fellowes Davis (Hartford, Connecticut: Canfield & Robins, 1836).
Music: Mount Vernon Lowell Mason, 1833 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Kneeland (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Christian worship—how inviting
Is the social praying band!
Happy concert thrice delighting,
Bound to Canaan’s holy land.
See how joyful they assemble
At the consecrated hour!
How they Heaven’s host resemble
While the God Most High adore!
See them in sweet concert moving,
Each their humble part fulfill!
Bound to love, each other loving,
Thus they do the Savior’s will.
How they bow in adoration
Low before Jehovah’s throne,
Giving honor and salvation
To the High and Holy One.
Now they rise in hymns symphonious—
All as one their spirits rise;
Sweep the golden harps harmonious
Strung by seraphs in the skies.
Now they pour out fervent prayer—
Plead the all-atoning blood.
Father, Son, and Spirit’s there;
’Tis in truth the house of God.