GREAT God, this sacred day of thine Thy Spirit's powerful aid impart !

I.

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!

2.

Happy birds that sing and fly
Round thy altars, O Most High,
Happier souls that find a rest
In a heavenly 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.

3.

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.

HENRY FRANCIS LYTE, 1793-1847.