The Future Peace and Glory of the Church

I

Hear what God the Lord hath spoken:
“O my people, faint and few,
Comfortless, afflicted, broken,
Fair abodes I build for you;
Thorns of heart-felt tribulation
Shall no more perplex your ways;
You shall name your walls Salvation,
And your gates shall all be Praise.

II

There, like streams that feed the garden,
Pleasures without end shall flow;
For the Lord, your faith rewarding,
All his bounty shall bestow:
Still in undisturb’d possession
Peace and righteousness shall reign;
Never shall you feel oppression⁠—
Hear the voice of war again.

III

Ye no more your suns descending,
Waning moons no more shall see;
But, your griefs for ever ending,
Find eternal noon in me:
God shall rise, and shining o’er you,
Change to day the gloom of night;
He the Lord, shall be your glory,
God your everlasting light.”