How did my heart re­joice to hear
My friends de­vout­ly say,
In Zi­on let us all ap­pear,
And keep the so­lemn day!

I love her gates, I love the road;
The church adorned with grace,
Stands like a pa­lace built for God
To show His mild­er face.

Up to her courts with joys un­known
The holy tribes re­pair;
The Son of Da­vid holds His throne,
And sits in judg­ment there.

He hears our prais­es and com­plaints;
And while His aw­ful voice
Divides the sin­ners from the saints,
We trem­ble and re­joice.

Peace be with­in this sac­red place,
And joy a con­stant guest!
With ho­ly gifts and heav’n­ly grace
Be her at­tend­ants blest!

My soul shall pray for Zi­on still,
While life or breath re­mains;
There my best friends, my kin­dred dwell,
There God my Sav­ior reigns.