1. O Lord of hosts, how lovely
thy tabernacles are;
for them my heart is yearning
in banishment afar.
My soul is longing, fainting,
thy sacred courts to see;
my heart and flesh are crying,
O living God, for thee.

2. Beneath thy care the sparrow
finds place for peaceful rest;
to keep her young in safety
the swallow finds a nest;
then, Lord, my King Almighty,
thy love will shelter me;
beside thy holy altar
my dwelling place shall be.

3. Blest they who dwell in Zion,
whose joy and strength thou art;
forever they will praise thee,
thy ways are in their heart.
Though tried, their tears like showers
shall fill the springs of peace,
and all the way to Zion
their strength shall still increase.

4. Lord God of hosts, in mercy
my supplication hear;
almighty and all faithful,
our fathers’ God, give ear.
Our shield and great defender,
no longer hide thy face,
but look upon thy servant,
anointed by thy grace.

5. In thy blest courts to worship,
my God, a single day
is better than a thousand
while far from thee I stray.
Though in a lowly station,
the service of my Lord
I choose above all pleasures
that sinful ways afford.

6. A sun and shield forever
is God, the Lord Most High;
to those who walk uprightly
no good will he deny.
His saints, his grace receiving,
shall soon his glory see;
O Lord of hosts, most blessed
are they that trust in thee.