S. M. Heavenly joy on earth. Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne. [The sorrows of the mind Be banished from the place; Religion never was designed To make our pleasures less.] Let those refuse to sing That never knew our God; But favorites of the heav'nly King May speak their joys abroad. [The God that rules on high, And thunders when he please, That rides upon the stormy sky, And manages the seas;] This aweful God is ours, Our Father and our Love; He shall send down his heav'nly powers To carry us above. There we shall see his face, And never, never sin; There, from the rivers of his grace, Drink endless pleasures in. Yes, and before we rise To that immortal state, The thoughts of such amazing bliss Should constant joys create. [The men of grace have found Glory begun below; Celestial fruits on earthly ground From faith and hope may grow.] The hill of Zion yields A thousand sacred sweets, Before we reach the heav'nly fields, Or walk the golden streets. Then let our songs abound, And every tear be dry; We're marching through Immanuel's ground To fairer worlds on high. |