I love Thy kingdom, Lord

379 St. Thomas. S. M.

1 I love Thy kingdom, Lord,
   The house of Thine abode,
   The Church our blest Redeemer saved
   With His own precious blood.

2 I love Thy Church, O God!
   Her walls before Thee stand
   Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
   And graven on Thy hand.

3 For her my tears shall fall,
   For her my prayers ascend;
   To her my cares and toils be given,
   Till toils and cares shall end.

4 Beyond my highest joy
   I prize her heavenly ways,
   Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
   Her hymns of love and praise.

5 Sure as Thy truths shall last,
   To Zion shall be given
   The brightest glories earth can yield,
   And brighter bliss of heaven.
                         Timothy Dwight
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
Written by one of the early presidents of Yale, this hymn is quite popular, occurring in a little over 1300 hymnals. Cyberhymnal adds three verses, two after verse 2 and the third one just before the final verse:

3. If e’er to bless Thy sons
   My voice or hands deny,
   These hands let useful skills forsake,
   This voice in silence die.

4. Should I with scoffers join
   Her altars to abuse?
   No! Better far my tongue were dumb,
   My hand its skill should lose.

7. Jesus, Thou friend divine,
   Our Savior and our King,
   Thy hand from every snare and foe
   Shall great deliverance bring.

</idle musing>