Classic Poem

As birds their infant brood protect,
And spread their wings to shelter them;
Thus saith the Lord to his elect,
" So will I guard Jerusalem. "

And what then is Jerusalem,
This darling object of his care?
Where is its worth in G OD 's esteem?
Who built it? who inhabits there?

J EHOVAH founded it in blood,
The blood of his incarnate Son;
There dwell the saints, once foes to G OD ,
The sinners, whom he calls his own.

There, tho' besieg'd on ev'ry side,
Yet much belov'd and guarded well;
From age to age they have defy'd
The utmost force of earth and hell.

Let earth repent, and hell despair,
This city has a sure defence;
Her name is call'd, The Lord is there,
And who has pow'r to drive him thence?