How Did My Heart Rejoice to Hear

How did my heart re­joice to hear

My friends de­vout­ly say

In Zi­on let us all ap­pear

And keep the so­lemn day!

I love her gates

I love the road;

The church adorned with grace

Stands like a pal­ace built for God

To show His mild­er face.

Up to her courts with joys un­known

The holy tribes re­pair;

The Son of Da­vid holds His throne

And sits in judg­ment there.

He hears our prais­es and com­plaints;

And while His aw­ful voice

Divides the sin­ners from the saints

We trem­ble and re­joice.

Peace be with­in this sac­red place

And joy a con­stant guest!

With ho­ly gifts and heav’n­ly grace

Be her at­tend­ants blest!

My soul shall pray for Zi­on still

While life or breath re­mains;

There my best friends

my kin­dred dwell

There God my Sav­ior reigns.