As you may know I do like to share a hymn of old that I have found.  This is one written by John Newton (1725-1807) the slave trader who became a Christian during a storm at sea.  He is the author of many hymns of which Amazing Grace is probably one of the best known.

Today I share this one concerning Zion, the city of God:
 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of 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 mayest 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 the glory and a covering, 
Showing that the Lord is near;
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which he gives them when they pray.

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

A quote from the author of the book where this hymn is found, Leland Ryken, “40 Favorite Hymns on the Christian Life”:
Quote:
“The point of departure for this poem is Psalm 87:1-3.  Although the poem ranges all over the Bible, the opening and closing of Psalm 87 are the best parallel passage.
“On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.”  Psalm 87:1-3
And Vs.7
“Singers and dancers alike say,
‘All my springs are in you.’” 
End of quote.

I hope you are blessed, as I was, by this hymn of old.  And may the Lord bless all our hymn writers of today.  It is God who gives the talent that we all appreciate.
Thank you Lord.  Amen