Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

“Glorious things of thee are spoken, O city of God.” – Psalm 87:3 (KJV).

It was early in the morning on the first day of the week. The sun had not yet risen. It was still dark, as we learn from John 20:1. Mary Magdalene, early, was at the tomb where Jesus had been laid and found the stone rolled away and the body gone. She hurried to tell Peter. Peter and the other disciple (probably John, who wrote the account) hurried to the tomb and found it empty. “They did not understand the Scripture, the he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.” (John 20:9-10).

But Mary Magdalene remained in the garden, weeping near the tomb. As she stooped to look into the tomb, she saw two angels who asked her why she was weeping. Turning from the tomb, she saw someone whom she supposed to be the gardener. He asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15), It was only when her name was called, “Mary!” did she recognize the One speaking to her as the risen Lord, and she cried out: “ ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” Jesus then gave Mary Magdalene a mission to go and tell the disciples that He was risen and would ascend to His Father. The mission for which Jesus came into the world had been completed. He died a sacrificial death. He arose victorious. “Go…tell.” This is a command still reverberating through the ages.

From Zion, holy city of God in the heavens, Jesus came to earth, ministered and taught for a few brief years, and then death claimed Him, a sacrificial death on the cross. And on that resurrection morning after being in the grave three days, he broke the bonds of death and the grave. These earthly events took place in and around the earthly city of Zion, or Jerusalem. From Zion flowed out the good news to all people. “He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!” Jesus gave new meaning to the city of God, Zion, the new Jerusalem.

Because of His death and resurrection, we, too, can know life and expect to live in that heavenly city.

John Newton (1725-1807), great poet and songwriter, spurred by the scripture from Psalm 87:3, wrote the words to the hymn, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” which tells of the place where we in victory will one day meet and live with the Lord of Glory. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) composed the majestic tune selected to go with Newton’s words. Think “glory!” as you hum or sing this song on this Resurrection Day:

      “Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God.

       He whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for His own abode;

       On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose?

       With salvation’s walls surrounded, Thou may smile at all thy foes.

      “See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love,

       Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove;

       Who can faint, while such a river Ever does their thirst assuage?

       Grace which, like the Lord the giver, Never fails from age to age.

       Round each habitation hovering, See the cloud and fire appear

       For a glory and a covering, Showing that the Lord is near!

       Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;

       He whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for His own abode.”

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.27.2016