I’m longing for the place where fighting’s done—
Temptation is no more, and sin is gone.
The foe is finally vanquished—people free!
And there’s no evil fighting inside me.
No need to guard each look from tempting lure
Where every sight is good, all billboards pure.
So perfect there a man may freely gaze,
And everything he see inspire praise!
We’ll never say a hurtful word at all
Or let a cutting joke unkindly fall.
No smoking sections there, no bars, no drugs,
No psychiatric care, no war, no thugs,
No worldly songs or jokes or films at night—
The libraries are packed with truth and light
And stories far more gripping and more dear
Than any we have ever dreamed of here.
For creativity will reach new heights,
And righteousness produce the best delights.
I’m longing for the place where I belong,
Where every breeze is filled with righteous song
From cars and shops and springing from each tongue
The gladdest music that was ever sung.
The song of man’s redemption fills the sky
As birds rejoice and buzzing bees reply.
The mountains shout! The trees all clap their hands.
Lush gardens have appeared where once stood sands.
New waters bubble up in lands once scorched—
From every rock bright flowers bursting forth.
For One on our behalf has borne the curse—
Which now is banished—every ill reversed.
I’m longing for the city of the saved,
Foundation stones and gates alike engraved
With names not famed for works which they achieved,
But rather for the One whom they believed.
And this the same for all who enter there,
For “Grace and grace alone!” pervades the air.
No bragging there or seeking man’s applause—
The only boast is in the Savior’s cross.
And no one cares the color of your skin
For all are one—in fact we’ll all be kin!
All married to the Lamb, each one the same—
Someday I’m sure I’ll know them all by name
And visit any place but feel no danger,
And travel all the earth, yet meet no stranger.
And any home might welcome me for days
To sit and eat and share the latest praise.
We’ll never have bad news to sigh about.
Instead I’ll hardly start before they shout,
“Oh, glory! How He loves us—what a King!
Come on, let’s have some music.” How we’ll sing!
And laugh and leap about and play in parts,
For we are His, and love has filled our hearts.
And often at His throne we all will gather,
Before the Spirit, Son, and loving Father—
And all that breathes will bow with one accord
In awe before the universal Lord.
And from the hush a gentle hum will start—
A melody of love from every heart
That grows into a song from every voice
As all of us in harmony rejoice
And swell the song until it fills all space
With praise to God—our King—for all His grace.
And oh!—I’m longing most of all for Him—
The One whose glory makes the sun look dim.
But how can I describe until that day
The way He’ll smile or sing, or what He’ll say?
He’s said He’ll give rewards there in that land—
I’d love to take mine from His very hand
And touch that scar—so small, and yet so deep—
And overcome with gratitude to weep
At love He knows I’ll never understand,
Until He dries my tears with His own hand.
I yearn so much to hear Him say, “Well done,”
Or take my hand in His and call me “son.”
I’d love to watch Him hour after hour,
And never tire of seeing such great power.
I want to hear His voice—oh, how I’ll cling
To every word—and then, to hear Him sing!
To see His face, and gaze into His eyes,
Which sparkle when He shows us some surprise
To make us oooh and ahhh and love Him more,
And say how glad we are that He’s our Lord.
I’d love to ask Him questions, one by one,
And find out how the universe is run,
And then go through the Bible page by page
And have Him teach me—I could sit an age!
There is no city here I call my home,
For I’m resolved to seek for one to come.