"Descend to thy Jerusalem, O Lord!"
Her faithful children cry with one accord;
Come, ride in triumph on! behold we lay
Our guilty lusts and proud wills in thy way!
Thy road is ready, Lord! - thy paths, made straight,
In longing expectation seem to wait
The consecration of thy beauteous feet:
And hark! Hosannas loud thy footsteps greet!
Welcome, O welcome to our hearts, Lord! here
Thou hast a temple too, and full as dear
As that in Sion, and as full of sin:
How long shall thieves and robbers dwell therein?
Enter and chase them forth, and cleanse the floor!
Destroy their strength, that they may never more
Profane with traffic vile that holy place,
Which Thou hast chosen, there to set thy face.
And then, if our stiff tongues shall silent be
In praises of thy finished victory
The temple-stones shall cry and loud repeat
Hosanna! and thy glorious footsteps greet!
