A former slaver wrote Glorious things of Thee are Spoken, a song that speaks to God’s love for Zion and for his people. I am most familar with the first four stanzas, but the fifth holds truth as well. 🙂 Get to know this Newton hymn, you’ll be glad you did! 🙂
Lyrics
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.
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 hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear!
For a glory and a covering
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 offering 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.
Author
John Newton wrote this hymn in 1779 for Book 1 of the Olney Hymns. He collarborated on this hymnal with William Cowper. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds is just one of several hymns that Newton wrote.
Newton intended this songs more “for public worship, and for the use of plain people”. His evangelical heart yearned to help the poor and to be of service to the people of the church. (source)
John Newton is a former slave trader who turned abolitionist. He loved the church and used music to help teach gospel truths.
Pondering more
Based on Psalm 87 (ESV)
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.”
Can you see the words of this Psalm in this hymn? Does it help you understand Psalm 87 better? Seeing God’s love for Zion and her people, it’s so apparent in Newton’s hymn.
Aren’t you glad we can sing?
Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name:
I do not know the lyrics you have shared here, though I know that first tune very well. Just different lyrics. Very good.
isn’t it nice when tunes cross songs? makes the new seem much more familiar doesn’t it?