Scripture Verse

A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. Psalm 84:10

Introduction

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Henry F. Lyte (1793–1847)

Words: Hen­ry F. Lyte, Spi­rit of the Psalms 1834.

Music: Be­ne­ven­to, ar­ranged from Sam­uel Webbe, Sr., 1792 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
Samuel Webbe, Sr. (1740–1816)

Lyrics

Pleasant are Thy courts above,
In the land of light and love;
Pleasant are Thy courts be­low,
In this land of sin and woe;
O, my spi­rit longs and faints
For the con­verse of Thy saints,
For the bright­ness of Thy face,
King of Glo­ry, God of grace.

Happy birds, that sing and fly
Round Thy al­tars, O most High!
Happier souls that, find a rest
In a heav’n­ly Fa­ther’s breast;
Like the wan­der­ing dove, that found
No re­pose on earth around,
They can to their ark re­pair,
And en­joy it ev­er there.

Happy souls, their prais­es flow
Even in this vale of woe!
Waters in the des­ert rise,
Manna feeds them from the skies;
On they go from strength to strength,
Till they reach Thy throne at length,
At Thy feet ador­ing fall,
Who hast led them safe through all.

Lord, be mine this prize to win,
Guide me through a world of sin,
Keep me by Thy sav­ing grace,
Give me at Thy side a place;
Sun and shield alike Thou art,
Guide and guard my err­ing heart.
Grace and glo­ry flow from Thee;
Shower, O shower them, Lord, on me!