1. Great is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised
Great is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised. Upon a hill God’s city stands in glorious beauty raised – his holy mountain high, the city of our King, the joy of all the earth below. In praise of God we sing.
[Sing to the Lord 48]

2. When kings join forces and advance, they marvel at her walls.
2. God makes his city strong
by living in her halls.
When kings join forces and advance,
they marvel at her walls.
They stand and look amazed
in terror and alarm;
as anguish grips like labour pains,
they see their certain harm.

3. the ships of Tarshish old, by east wind shattered, so he crushed
3. For just as God destroyed
the ships of Tarshish old,
by east wind shattered, so he crushed
those kings who were so bold!
As in the past we heard,
now we have seen it so:
the city of the Lord of hosts
no one can overthrow.

4. we on your lovingkindness dwell, the wonders of your grace.
4. Within your temple, Lord,
in that most holy place,
we on your lovingkindness dwell,
the wonders of your grace.
Your people sing your praise
where’er your name is known;
by ev’ry deed your hand has worked
your righteousness is shown.

5. and all her daughters sing; let them with thankfulness proclaim
5. Let Zion now rejoice
and all her daughters sing;
let them with thankfulness proclaim
the judgments of their King.
Mount Zion’s walls behold,
about her ramparts go,
and number all the lofty towers
that guard her from the foe.

6. that to the children after you, her glories you may tell.
6. Observe her palaces,
mark her defences well,
that to the children after you,
her glories you may tell.
For God as our own God
forever will abide,
and till life’s journey close in death
will be our faithful guide.
Sing to the Lord 48
Used with permission
Text: st. 1–2 Psalter Hymnal, 1987, © Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1987, alt. st. 3 John Rogers, 2005, © Sing to the Lord, 2008 st. 4–6 Psalter Hymnal, 1957, rev.
Tune: George J. Elvey, 1868