Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A favorite hymn of Stonewall Jackson

Here is another hymn by John Newton, one that Mrs. Mary Anna Jackson said was one of her husband's favorites. I have not heard it before, but it happened to be in this wonderful little hymnal I have, so here it is.

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage-
Grace which, like the Lord the Giver,
Never fails from age to age?

Round each habitation hovering,
See! the cloud and fire appear,
For a glory and a covering,
Showing that the Lord is near:
Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer's blood-
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God.

Saviour, if of Zion's city
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name:
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion's children know.

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