O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely (EN 1317)

1

O Lord of hosts, how lovely the place where Thou dost dwell!

Thy tabernacles holy in pleasantness excel.

My soul is longing, fainting, Jehovah’s courts to see;

My heart and flesh are crying, O living God for Thee.

2

Behold the sparrow findeth a house in which to rest,

The swallow has discovered where she may build her nest;

And where, securely sheltered, her young she forth may bring;

So Lord of hosts, Thine altars I seek, my God, my King.

3

Blest who Thy house inhabit, they ever give Thee praise.

Blest all whom Thou dost strengthen, who love the sacred ways.

Who pass through Baca’s valley, and make in it a well;

There rains in shower abundant the pools with water fill.

4

So they from strength unwearied go forward unto strength,

Till they appear in Zion, before the Lord at length.

O hear, Lord God of Jacob, to me an answer yield;

The face of Thine anointed, behold, O God, our Shield.

5

One day excels a thousand, if spent Thy courts within;

I’ll chose Thy threshold rather than dwell in tents of sin.

Our Sun and Shield Jehovah, will grace and glory give;

No good will He deny them that uprightly do live.