God is known…for a refuge. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
Psalm 48:3–5
Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David 1719. The church is the honor and safety of a nation.
Music: Ferguson George Kingsley, 1843 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Kingsley (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Great is the Lord our God,
And let His praise be great;
He makes His churches His abode,
His most delightful seat.
Those temples of His grace,
How beautiful they stand!
The honors of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.
In Sion God is known,
A refuge in distress;
How bright has His salvation shone
Through all her palaces!
When kings against her joined,
And saw the Lord was there,
In wild confusion of the mind,
They fled with hasty fear.
When navies tall and proud
Attempt to spoil our peace,
He sends His tempests roaring loud,
And sinks them in the seas.
Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold
Where His own sheep have been.
In every new distress
We’ll to His house repair;
We’ll think upon His wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.