O beautiful River, from Zion outflowing,
In freshness and favor, majestic and broad;
The redolent splendor and grace of thy going
Rehearseth the greatness and glory of God!
I sing of thy source, in the mind of the Maker,
The trend of thy purpose, untrammeled and free,
How each, by the wealth of design, is partaker
Of all the bright blessings inherent in thee.
Thy crystalline cleansing no mortal may measure
Who knows not the stain and pollution of sin;
Thy touch, like the hope an infinite pleasure,
Hath pureness, delight, and rejoicing within.
What marvelous pulse thrills the hand of thy healing,
Ecstatic with being and pregnant with "breath,"
The limitless love of Jehovah revealing,
As higher than heaven and deeper than death!
How strong is thy strength, by Omnipotence in thee!
How buoyant thy bearing o'er earth's meaner things!
The word of the Lord from His house did begin thee;
Baptized in thy waters my spirit hath wings.
O bountiful River, divine and eternal,
Flow on in thy fulness and freedom, sublime!
The desert shall blossom in fragrance supernal,
And life bloom for aye from thy shore-ways in time.
