This version of "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" contains selected verses penned by John Milton and found in the "Scottish Psalter 1650." The subject is drawn from Psalm 84 and expresses a longing to be in the constant presence of God. Verse 3 is a very powerful and accurate description of what the Christian's pilgrimage through life should look like to an observer. The melody is an original work by Danny Thompson and the verses were selected by his brother Steve.
lyrics
How lovely is thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts, to me!
The tabernacles of thy grace
How pleasant, Lord, they be!
My thirsty soul longs ardently,
Within thy courts to be;
My very heart and flesh cry out,
O living God, for thee.
Beside thine altars, gracious Lord,
The swallows find a nest;
How happy they who dwell with thee
And praise thee without rest,
How blessed are they who thus reside
In this thy house of praise;
They who for strength in thee abide,
And greatly love thy ways.
They pass the sad and thirsty vale
Of this world’s barren ground
As though it were a fruitful dale
Where springs and showers abound.
They journey on from strength to strength,
With joy and grateful cheer,
Till all before our God at length
In Zion shall appear.
For God the Lord, our sun and shield,
Gives grace and glory bright;
No good from them shall be withheld
Whose ways, with God, are right.
credits
from How Firm a Foundation,
track released October 11, 2010
Lyrics: John Milton, The Scottish Psalter 1650
Music: Danny Thompson, Steve Thompson