Burst, Ye Emerald Gates

1Burst, ye emerald gates, and bring
To my raptured vision
All the ecstatic joys that spring
Round the bright Elysian!

RefrainO, how good it is to be blest,
And dwell where loving Jesus is!

2Lo! we lift our longing eyes;
Break, ye intervening skies!
Sons of righteousness, arise!
Ope the gates of paradise!

3Floods of everlasting light
Freely flash before him;
Myriads, with supreme delight,
Instantly adore him;
Angels' trumps resound his fame;
Lutes of lucid gold proclaim
All the music of his name,
Heaven echoing the theme.

4Four and twenty elders rise
From their princely station;
Shout his glorious victories,
Sing his great salvation;
Cast their crowns before his throne;
Cry, in reverential tone,
Glory be to God alone,
Holy, holy, holy One!

5Hark! the thrilling symphonies
Seem, methinks, to seize us;
Join we to the holy lays—
Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
Sweetest sound in seraphs' song;
Sweetest note on mortals' tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung:
Jesus! Jesus! flow along.