by Isaac Watts

written in 1707 (6.6.8.6)

I come back to v3 often, to remind myself of the blessings we know in this life. We speak and sing about ‘taking up our crosses’ as we follow in the steps of a suffering Saviour (1 Peter 2:21), but far fewer songs voice the blessings we have in Christ, and certainly not in such a beautiful way as verse 3. ‘Sacred sweets’ are yielded in our ascent, to our eternal city… so enjoy the climb!

1. Come, we that love the Lord,
   and let our joys be known;
   join in a song with sweet accord,
   and thus surround the throne.
   
   

2. Let those refuse to sing
   who never knew our God;
   but children of the heav’nly King
   may speak their joys abroad. 
   
   
3. The hill of Zion yields
   a thousand sacred sweets
   before we reach the heav’nly fields,
   or walk the golden streets. 
   
   
4. Then let our songs abound,
   and every tear be dry;
   we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground
   to fairer worlds on high.

Thank you, Mr Watts.