How lovely is thy dwelling-place

How lovely is thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts, to me!
My thirsty soul desires and longs
within thy courts to be;
my very heart and flesh cry out,
O living God for thee.

Beside thine altars, gracious Lord,
the swallows find a nest;
how happy they who dwell with thee
and praise thee without rest,
and happy they whose hearts are set
upon the pilgrim's quest.

They who go through the desert vale
will find it filled with springs,
and they shall climb from height to height
till Zion's temple rings
with praise to thee, in glory throned,
Lord God, great King of kings.

One day within thy courts excels
a thousand spent away;
how happy they who keep thy laws
nor from thy precepts stray,
for thou shalt surely bless all those
who live the words they pray.

Words, verses 1-2: The Psalms of David in Meeter (The Scottish Psalter), 1650;
verses 3-4: Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Words vv. 3-4 © 1982 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
For permission to reproduce this hymn, contact: Hope Publishing Company, www.hopepublishing.com

Music: Brother James' Air, Harington (Retirement)

Meter: 86 86 86

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.