Urbs beata Hierusalem

Blessed City, Heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of Peace and Love,
Who, of living stones upbuilded,
Art the joy of Heav'n above,
And with angel cohorts circled,
As a Bride to earth dost move!

From celestial realms descending,
Ready for the nuptial bed,
To His presence, deck'd with jewels,
By Her Lord shall she be led:
All her streets, and all her bulwarks,
Of pure gold are fashioned.

Bright with pearls her portal glitters;
It is open evermore;
And, by virtue of His merits,
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ's dear Name, in this world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polish'd well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the Heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath will'd for ever
That His Palace should be deck'd.

Christ is made the sure Foundation,
And the precious Corner-stone,
Who, the two-fold walls surmounting,
Binds them closely into one:*
Holy Sion's help for ever,
And her confidence alone.

All that dedicated City,
Dearly lov'd by GOD on high,
In exultant jubilation
Pours perpetual melody;
GOD the One, and GOD the Trinal,
Singing everlastingly.

To this Temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O LORD of Hosts, to-day!
With Thy wonted loving-kindness
Hear Thy people as they pray;
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls for aye.

Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
That they supplicate to gain:
Here to have and hold for ever
These good things their pray'rs obtain;
And hereafter in Thy Glory
With Thy blessed ones to reign.

Laud and honour to the FATHER;
Laud and honour to the SON;
Laud and honour to the SPIRIT;
Ever Three, and ever ONE:
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

—8th century, trans. John M. Neale


Tune:"Westminster Abbey," Henry Purcell (MIDI courtesy the Choral Public Domain Library)

* John Julian, in his Dictionary of Hymnology, decries most of the changes made to this hymn in other hymnals, but he says that the change of these two lines to, "Who, the two walls underlying, / Bound in each, binds both in one," is a good one.

About the Author

John Mason Neale (1818–1866) was born into an evangelical home, but had Catholic tendencies. He was inspired to write original hymns by a dislike for those of Isaac Watts, but is better known today for his approachable translations of Latin and Greek hymns.

Thoughts

You are perhaps familiar with the text "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation." Probably if you are, you had no idea, as I did not, that it is only the second half of a marvellous hymn on the church. This is one of those that is so full of Scripture that it is hard to list them all. I'm pretty sure that the basis of it, though, is a mix of Rev 21 and 1 Pet 2.

As far as a recommended recording, I highly recommend John Rutter's arrangement on his CD Sing, Ye Heavens (via iTunes or Amazon).

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