Scripture Verse

That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:12–15

Introduction

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Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719, pag­es 377–78, alt.

Music: Win­ches­ter New Mu­sik­al­isch­es Hand­buch (Ham­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1690). Har­mo­ny by Will­iam H. Monk, 1847, alt. (🔊 pdf nwc).

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William H. Monk (1823–1889)

Lyrics

Happy the city, where their sons
Like pillars round a palace set,
And daughters bright as polished stones
Give strength and beauty to the state.

Happy the country, where the sheep,
The cattle, corn, have large increase;
Where men securely work or sleep,
Nor sons of plunder break the peace.

Happy the nation thus endowed,
But more divinely blest are those
On whom the all-sufficient God
Himself with all His grace bestows.