87D. Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

1 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 may'st smile at all thy foes.

2 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 to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
never fails from age to age.

3 Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which God gives them when they pray.

4 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 are the world's best pleasures,
all its boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasures
none but Zion's children know.

Text Information
First Line: Glorious things of thee are spoken
Title: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
Author: John Newton (1779, alt.)
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Publication Date: 2012
Scripture:
Topic: Biblical Names and Places: Babylon; Biblical Names and Places: Egypt; Biblical Names and Places: Ethiopia (21 more...)
Notes: Alternate tune: JEFFERSON
Tune Information
Name: AUSTRIAN HYMN
Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809 (1797)
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Key: E♭ Major
Notes: The tune associations for “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” have long been a source of controversy. For some the association with AUSTRIAN HYMN is sacrosanct. For others, for whom that tune is too closely tied to German nationalism, particularly with the Third Reich, the singing of AUSTRIAN HYMN in worship is understandably problematic. Depending on context, congregations may choose this setting or the setting at 87E, set to the tune JEFFERSON, or may choose from any number of 8.7.8.7 D tunes. The setting at 87D reflects the original text by John Newton, with slight adaptation. The setting at 87E is an updated version of Newton’s original. The texts are interchangeable. Guitar chords do not correspond with keyboard harmony.



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