Scripture Verse

Lord, it is good for us to be here. Matthew 17:4

Introduction

Words: Is­aac N. Wil­son, in Joy to the World (New York: Hitch­cock & Wal­den, 1878).

Music: John R. Swe­ney (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Wil­son (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John R. Sweney (1837–1899)

Lyrics

While we bow in Thy name, O meet us again,
Fill our hearts with the light of Thy love.
May the Spir­it of grace, and the smiles of Thy face,
Gently fall on us now from above.

Refrain

It is good to be here, it is good to be here;
Thy per­fect love now drives away all our fear,
And light stream­ing down makes the path­way all clear:
It is good for us, Lord, to be here.

Our souls long for Thee; O may we now see
A sin-cleans­ing blood wave ap­pear;
And feel as it rolls in pow­er o’er our souls,
It is good for us, Lord, to be here.

Refrain

Thou art with us, we know; we feel the sweet flow
Of the sin-cleans­ing wave’s gladd’n­ing tide;
We are washed from our sin, made all ho­ly with­in,
And in Je­sus we sweet­ly abide.

Refrain