James Merrick Psalm 122

James Merrick Psalm 122

The festal morn, my God, is come, That calls me to thy honour'd dome, Thy presence to adore: My feet the summons shall attend, With willing step thy courts ascend, And tread the hallow'd floor.

Ev'n now to our transported eyes Fair Sion's tow'rs in prospect rise; Within her gates we stand, And, lost in wonder and delight, Behold her happy sons unite In friendship's firmest band.

Hither from Judah's utmost end The heav'n-protected tribes ascend; Their off'rings hither bring; Here, eager to attest their joy, In hymns of praise their tongues employ, And hail th'immortal King.

By his command impell'd, to her Contending crowds their cause refer; While princes from her throne With equal doom th'unerring law Dispense, who boast their birth to draw From Jesse's favour'd son.

Be peace by each implor'd on thee, O Salem, while with bended knee To Jacob's God we pray: How blest who calls himself thy friend! Success his labour shall attend, And safety guard his way.

O may'st thou, free from hostile fear, Nor the loud voice of tumult hear, Nor war's wild wastes deplore: May plenty near thee take her stand, And in thy courts with lavish hand Distribute all her store.

Seat of my friends and brethren, hail! How can my tongue, O Salem, fail To bless thy lov'd abode? How cease the zeal that in me glows Thy good to seek, whose walls inclose The mansion of my God?