Like many such spiritual songs, God indeed inspired the hymn writers. This one was written by John Newton, the same who wrote "Amazing Grace." You can hear it sung (here). However, they do not sing all the verses. I would hate to have to choose which verses to omit when singing this song! I think this would be one time when I would want to sing them all. The same is true with the song "How Firm A Foundation." Also, some sing a different tune (Austria) to the one referenced above, which is the one I am familiar with and like best. Another acapella singing on Youtube that has all the lines is (here). Sometimes the lyrics are changed a little. For instance, "on their way" is sung as "when they pray."
A good preacher could pick out any number of such hymns and use them for a short homily in extemporaneous speaking. In fact, many have done so over the years. This song would be such an one.
Glorious things of thee are spoken
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a cov'ring,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
Zion, city of our God
He, whose word cannot be broken
Formed thee for His own abode
"He whose word cannot be broken"! Ponder that deeply! Jesus said this very thing (John 10:35). "Formed thee for His own abode"! Boy, there is a lot to unpack in that pregnant line of verse! Predestination and election are in it. So is the idea of sure salvation. Hallelujah!
On the Rock of Ages founded
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes
This whole section is filled with "good doctrine" that "drops as rain from heaven" (See Deut. 32: 2). "Sure repose"? How priceless is that? Victory and safety are assured! "Safety (or victory) is of the Lord" (Prov. 21: 31)
See, the streams of living waters
Springing from eternal love
Well supply thy sons and daughters
And all fear of want remove
"Well supplied" indeed! Jesus said that every believer in him has within him or her this eternal spring (well), "springing up into everlasting life." (John 7: 38) "All fear of want removed"? Ponder that! Again, how precious is such a state of mind! It reminds us of Psalm 23 and "the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Children, sons and daughters of Zion, or of God! What a dignity! What nobility!
Who can faint, while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver
Never fails from age to age
Grace never fails! Paul said this also of love. (I Cor. 13: 8) Jesus and his salvation satisfies all spiritual thirst just as he promised ("whoever drinks of the water I give will never thirst" - John 4: 14). God is "the fountain of living waters" (Jer. 2: 13).
Blest inhabitants of Zion
Purchased by the Savior's blood
Jesus, whom their souls rely on
Makes them kings and priests to God
Again, each stanza is a gospel message in this section. Zion is blessed because God chose to dwell in her! Here is particular redemption too. Those who God chose to make his home or temple are purchased by the Savior's blood. The same ones chosen and purchased (redeemed) are made kings and priests to God. What an exalted place! All God's people are priests and can go directly in prayer to God through Jesus Christ and by the aid of the Spirit of God.
"Jesus whom their souls rely on." Oh yes, oh yes! They say, as the song, "I can't even walk unless he's holding my hand." Also, he is most reliable! Why rely on anything else?
While in love his Saints he raises
With himself to reign as King
All,
as priests, his solemn praises
For thank-off'rings freely bring
"In love his Saints he raises"! In regeneration and resurrection and exaltation raised. They are engaged daily in his religious service, regularly and unceasingly bringing him praise and thanks.
Savior, if in Zion's city
I, through grace, a member am
Let the world deride or pity
I will glory in Thy name
The "if" of this verse is not a word of doubt, but of logic or reason. It carries the meaning of "since." In other words, "since I am a member of Zion's city" I will glory in your name no matter what the world thinks of it.
Members of the community of the chosen and redeemed by sovereign grace. Unconditional love. Unmerited favor. So we sing "grace tis a charming sound, harmonious to the ear," and "grace first inscribed my name in God's eternal book." "Amazing grace"!
Fading is the sinner's pleasure
All his boasted pomp and show
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion's children know
"Solid joys"! Not like "the pleasures of sin" which are but "for a season." (Heb. 11: 25) "Lasting treasure"! Jesus and the apostles spoke a lot about being rich towards God, of laying up treasures in heaven, etc. Only "Zion's children" possess solid joys and lasting treasure. So Solomon said - "The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." (Prov. 13: 22) They have "an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven" for them (I Peter 1: 4). I wrote a piece on what it means to be children of Zion (here).
Round each habitation hov'ring,see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a cov'ring,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which he gives them on their way.
This verse is not included in some versions of the song. In fact, often hymnbooks will not have all the verses. But, this is one to keep for sure. These lines of verse refer to God's leading the people from Egypt to the land of promise and how he lead them by a cloud and fire, protecting each tent. So too the feeding on the manna that God provided. God will take care of his people. Wonderful thought!
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