Marching to Zion

 

MARCHING TO ZION

1

Come, ye that love the Lord,

And let your joys be known;

Join in a song with sweet accord,

And thus surround the throne.

2

Let those refuse to sing 

Who never knew our God:

But children of the heav'nly King,

May speak their joys abroad.

3

The hill of Zion yields

A thousand sacred sweets

Before we reach the heav'nly fields,

Or walk the golden streets.

4

Then let our songs abound,

And ev'ry tear be dry;

We're marching thro' Immanuel's ground

To fairer worlds on high.

CHORUS

We're marching to Zion,

Beautiful, beautiful Zion;

We're marching upward to Zion,

The beautiful city of God.

Isaac Watts

Most of the videos I found of this song rendered it slowly  -- majestically, I guess was the point -- but it seems to me it should be sung at a marching tempo. So I like this version better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EibysQhaZyw&list=RDEibysQhaZyw&start_radio=1

But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. ~Hebrews 12:22

Why is heaven referred to as Zion?

Initially, Zion referred to a specific location in Jerusalem, particularly the city of David. This was the original Zion, also known as Mount Zion. It was a hill or mountain within Jerusalem where the city of David was established. Over time, it came to symbolize the city of Jerusalem and, by extension, the entire land of Israel.

Psalm 132:13-14

For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

In the context of Christianity, it is associated with the heavenly Jerusalem 

and the assembly of believers in Christ. 

Hebrews 12:22-23

But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

ZION IN THE BIBLE

Zion is a specific, historically important location — the name refers to both a hill in the city of Jerusalem and to the city itself — but it's also used in a general way to mean "holy place" or "kingdom of heaven." 

2 Samuel 5:7

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

Psalm 2:6 

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. the place where the Lord is enthroned 

Psalm 9:11

Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 

Psalm 9:14

That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Isaiah 4:3

And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

Isaiah 18:7

In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.

New Testament writers Matthew, John, and Paul quote what has already been written in the Old Testament when they speak of Zion.

Romans 9:33

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1 Peter 2:6

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Revelation 14:1

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.