Scripture Verse

Thou shalt call thy walls Sal­va­tion and thy gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18

Introduction

portrait
Edward Hodges
1796–1867

Words: Will­iam Cow­per, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779), Book 1, num­ber 65. The fu­ture peace and glo­ry of the church.

Music: Ode an die Freude from the 9th Sym­pho­ny of Lud­wig van Beet­ho­ven, 1824. Ar­ranged by Ed­ward Hodg­es, 1864 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William Cowper
1731–1800

Lyrics

Hear what God the Lord hath spoken,
“O my people, faint and few,
Comfortless, afflicted, broken,
Fair abodes I build for you:
Themes of heartfelt tribulation
Shall no more perplex your ways;
You shall name your walls, Sal­va­tion,
And your gates shall all be praise.

“There, like streams that feed the garden,
Pleasures, without end, shall flow,
For the Lord, your faith rewarding,
All His bounty shall bestow;
Still in undisturbed possession
Peace and righteousness shall reign;
Never shall you feel oppression,
Hear the voice of war again.

Ye no more your suns descending,
Waning moons no more shall see;
But your griefs forever ending,
Find eternal noon in Me:
God shall rise, and shining o’er you,
Change to day the gloom of night;
He, the Lord, shall be your glory,
God your everlasting light.