Isaiah 26
1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
1. The time is near when Zion’s sons,
With rapturous joy, shall sing the song
Foretold by seers—anointed ones:
We have a city great and strong.
2. Salvation’s walls enclose her round,
Peace dwells, and praise, within her gates;
Naught that defiles in her is found,
That loves a lie, or virtue hates.
3. Open, ye gates! The glorious King
Approaches with a holy throng.
Open, ye gates! Saints, angels, sing
On golden harps, the victor’s song!
4. O, righteous nation! Enter in,
That kept the “law of truth” below,
Enter the place, all free from sin,
Where life’s pure waters gently flow.
5. Within these walls shall they remain,
Who trusted, mighty Lord! in thee!
Death, their last enemy, is slain—
They have a right to life’s fair tree.
6. Thus the redeemed to Zion come,
With songs and everlasting joy;
Angelic legions waft them home.
While shouts of praise their harps employ.
– Raymond F. Cottrell (printed in an early Advent Review magazine)
