August 1, 2018 (Wednesday)
Psalm 87 is about Zion, city of God. John Newton wrote a hymn, “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken,” no doubt with this psalm in mind.
Of the many hymn texts by the noted English clergyman, John Newton, this one is generally considered to be one of his finest and most joyous. In the Old Testament, the city of Zion was the place where God dwelt among His people. It was a haven of refuge, a treasured place. In our New Testament age, Zion refers to the church, a community of God’s people, a living and dynamic organism. Newton’s hymn refers to God’s strong protection of His people, His promise to supply their needs, and His presence to lead His own by the cloud and fire as He did the Israelites of old.
John Newton, the convicted slave trader and sea captain before he turned to the Lord, never stopped praising God for His “sure repose”– “whose Word cannot be broken”–who formed us “for His own abode.” – Osbeck, K. W. (1990). Amazing grace : 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions.
Presented below is the text of Psalm 87 and the lyrics of the hymn, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.”
New International Version (NIV)
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:
4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me–
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush–
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.'”
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
7 As they make music they will sing,
“All my fountains are in you.”
John Newton
1779
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our 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 mayst 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 t’ assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hov’ring,
See the cloud and fire appear,
For a glory and a cov’ring,
Showing that the Lord is near;
Thus deriving from our banner
Light by night and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which He gives them when they pray.
Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer’s blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God;
‘Tis His love His people raises
Over self to reign as kings,
And as priests, His solemn praises
Each for a thank off’ring brings.
Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name;
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.
Scripture: Psalm 87:3; 48; Isaiah 33:20-21
Austrian Hymn
attr. to Croatian melody
arr. by Franz J. Haydn, 1797
This song in other languages:
Show PDF.pdf Deutsch (German)
Show PDF.pdf Pусский (Russian)
Listen to the young people of Fountainview Academy as they present this 239-year-old hymn by John Newton, who gave us the hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Click here