January 9, 2016 (Saturday)
Zion became another name for Jerusalem in the Bible, and today is also a word for “The New Jerusalem,” or Heaven, for Christians.
Isaac Watts, over 300 years ago, visualized a great throng of Believers on their way to Heaven. A clarion call goes out for Christians to let their joys be known as they march together toward Heaven.
Many years later, Robert Lowery and another generation added the music we use today as we triumphantly sing this song of glory. Lowry added the joyous refrain.
Words by Isaac Watts, 1707 Tune by Robert Lowry, 1867 Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne. Refrain: We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God. Let those refuse to sing, Who never knew our God; But children of the heav’nly King May speak their joys abroad. 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. |
LISTEN