Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#468

468. Jerusalem, thou city fair and high

1 Jerusalem, thou city fair and high,
Would God I were in thee!
My longing heart fain, fain to thee would fly,
It will not stay with me;
Far over vale and mountain,
It hastes to seek its Fountain,
And quit this world of pain.

2 O happy day, and yet far happier hour,
When wilt you come at last,
When fearless to my Father's love and power,
Whose promise standeth fast,
My soul I gladly render,
For surely will His hand
Lead her, with guidance tender,
To heaven, her fatherland.

3 A moment's space, and gently, wondrously,
Released from earthly ties,
The fiery care shall bear her up to thee,
Through all these lower skies,
To yonder shining regions,
Where down, to meet her, come
The blessed angel-legions,
And bid her welcome home.

4 O Zion, hail! Bright city, now unfold
The gates of grace to me!
How many a time I longed for thee of old,
Ere yet I was set free
From yon dark life of sadness,
Yon world of shadowy nought,
And God had given the gladness,
The heritage I sought.

5 O what the tribe, or what the glorious host,
Comes sweeping swiftly down?
The chosen ones of earth who wrought the most,
The Church's brightest crown,
Our Lord hath sent to meet me,
As in the far off years
Their words oft came to greet me,
In yonder land of tears.

6 The Patriarchs' and Prophets' noble train,
With all Christ's followers true,
Who bore the cross and could the worst disdain
That tyrants dared to do,
I see them shine forever,
All glorious as the sun,
'Mid light that fadeth never,
Their perfect freedom won.

7 And when within that lovely Paradise
And last I safely dwell,
From out my soul what songs of bliss shall rise,
What joy my lips shall tell,
While holy saints are singing
Hosannas o'er and o'er,
Pure hallelujah's ringing,
Around me evermore.

8 Innumerous choirs before the shining throne
With harp and trumpet raise
Glad notes, till heav'ns vast halls vibrate the tone
Of their melodious praise,
And all its host rejoices,
And all its blessed throng
Unite their myriad voices
In one eternal song!

Text Information

• First Line: Jerusalem, thou city fair and high
• Author: Johann Matthäus Meyfart (1626)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1858)
• Meter: No. 81
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: Christian Life and Hope: The Consummation: Eternity
• Notes: From the German text: Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt

Tune Information

• Name: HEAVENLY CITY
• Composer: Rev. George H. Trebel (1883)
• Meter: No. 81
• Key: D♭ Major