City of God, How Broad and Far

City of God

how broad and far

Outspread thy walls sub­lime!

The true thy char­tered free­men are

Of ev­ery age and clime.

One ho­ly Church

one ar­my strong;

One stead­fast

high in­tent;

One work­ing band

one har­vest song

One King om­ni­po­tent.

How pure­ly hath thy speech come down

From man’s pri­me­val youth!

How grand­ly hath thine em­pire grown

Of free­dom

love and truth!

How gleam thy watch fires through the night

With nev­er faint­ing ray!

How rise thy tow­ers

se­rene and bright

To meet the dawn­ing day!

In vain the surge’s an­gry shock

In vain the drift­ing sands;

Unharmed upon the eter­nal Rock

The eter­nal ci­ty stands.