With joy I heard my friends exclaim,
�Come, let us in God�s temple meet;
Within thy gates, O Zion blest,
Shall ever stand our willing feet.�

How beautiful doth Zion stand,
A city built compact and fair;
The people of the Lord unite
With joy and praise to worship there.

They come to learn the will of God,
To pay their vows, His grace to own;
For there is judgment�s royal seat,
Messiah�s sure and lasting throne.

For Zion�s peace let prayer be made;
May all that love thee prosper well;
Within thy walls let peace abide,
And gladness with thy children dwell.

For sake of friends and kindred dear,
My heart�s desire is Zion�s peace;
And for the house of God, the Lord,
My loving care shall never cease.