Scripture Verse

How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! Psalm 84:1

Introduction

illustration
Nahum Tate
1652–1715

Words: A New Ver­sion of the Psalms of Da­vid, by Na­hum Tate & Ni­cho­las Bra­dy, 1696.

Music: St. Sav­iour (Bak­er) Fred­er­ick G. Bak­er, in the Bris­tol Tune Book, Se­cond Se­ries (Lon­don: No­vel­lo, Ew­er, 1876) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bra­dy or Bak­er (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

O God of hosts, the mighty Lord,
How lovely is the place
Where Thou, enthroned in glo­ry, show’st,
The brightness of Thy face.

O Lord of hosts, my king and God,
How highly blest are they
Who in Thy temple always dwell,
And there Thy praise display.

Thrice happy they whose choice has Thee
Their sure protection made;
Who long to tread the sacred ways
That to Thy dwelling lead.

For in Thy courts one single day
’Tis better to attend,
Than, Lord, in any place besides
A thousand days to spend.

For God, who is our sun and shield,
Will grace and glo­ry give;
And no good thing will He withhold
From them that justly live.

Thou God, whom heav’nly host obey,
How highly blest is he
Whose hope and trust, securely placed,
Is still reposed on Thee.