Scripture Verse

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:2

Introduction

portrait
Thomas Hastings (1784–1872)

Words: Tho­mas Hast­ings, Spi­ri­tu­al Songs for So­cial Wor­ship 1831.

Music: Wes­ley (Ma­son) Lo­well Ma­son, 1830 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Lowell Mason (1792–1872)

Lyrics

Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning!
Joy to the lands that in darkness have lain!
Hushed be the accents of sorrow and mourning;
Zion in triumph begins her mild reign.

Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning!
Long by the prophets of Israel foretold!
Hail to the millions from bondage returning!
Gentiles and Jews the blest vision behold.

Lo, in the desert rich flowers are springing,
Streams ever copious are gliding along;
Loud from the mountain tops echoes are ringing,
Wastes rise in verdure, and mingle in song.

See, from all lands, from the isles of the ocean,
Praise to the Sav­ior ascending on high;
Fallen the engines of war and commotion;
Shouts of sal­va­tion are rending the sky.