ZION stands by hills surrounded, Zion kept by power divine; All her foes shall be confounded, Though the world in arms combine: Happy Zion! What a favoured lot is thine!
Every human tie may perish; Friend to friend unfaithful prove; Mothers cease their own to cherish; Heaven and earth at last remove; But no changes Can affect our Saviour’s love.
Zion’s Friend in nothing alters, Though all others may and do; His is love that never falters, Always to its object true. Happy Zion! Crowned with mercies ever new.
If our Lord should show displeasure, ’Tis to save, and not destroy; If He punish, ’tis in measure, And to rid us of alloy. Bless His wisdom! Soon our grief shall turn to joy.
In the furnace God may prove us, Thence to bring us forth more bright, But will never cease to love us: We are precious in His sight: Happy Zion! God thine everlasting light.
Thomas Kelly, 1769-1855