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
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).
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.