6508 7. 8 7. 4 7
ZION stands by hills surrounded,
   Zion kept by power divine;
All her foes shall be confounded,
    Though the world in arms combine:
        Happy Zion!
    What a favoured lot is thine!
 
2  Every human tie may perish;
    Friend to friend unfaithful prove;
Mothers cease their own to cherish;
    Heaven and earth at last remove;
        But no changes
    Can affect our Saviour’s love.
 
3  Zion’s Friend in nothing alters,
    Though all others may and do;
His is love that never falters,
    Always to its object true.
        Happy Zion!
    Crowned with mercies ever new.
 
4  If our Lord should show displeasure,
    ’Tis to save, and not destroy;
If He punish, ’tis in measure,
    And to rid us of alloy.
        Bless His wisdom!
    Soon our grief shall turn to joy.
 
5  In the furnace God may prove us,
    Thence to bring us forth more bright,
But will never cease to love us:
    We are precious in His sight:
        Happy Zion!
    God thine everlasting light.
 
Thomas Kelly, 1769-1855