The sands of time are sinking,
The dawn of Heaven breaks,
The summer morn I’ve sighed for,
The fair sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark hath been the midnight,
But day-spring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel’s land.

Oh, Christ, He is the fountain,
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I’ve tasted,
More deep I’ll drink above;
There, to an ocean fulness,
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel’s land.

The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear bridegroom’s face:
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace—
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His outstretched hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel’s land.

With mercy and with judgment
My web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow
Were lustred by His love.
I’ll bless the hand that guided,
I’ll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth,
In Immanuel’s land

The author of these words is Mrs. A. R. Cousin the widow of a minister in Melrose, Scotland. It was first published in 1857 and the source of the words seems to be the letters of Samuel Rutherford from the 17th Century. In fact the most common tune for these words is called ‘Rutherford’. The tune was composed by a French composer Chretien Urhan and reflects the melancholic waiting rising to a treasured prospect.

The following verses are reckoned to have inspired the writer;

Luke 1:78‑79Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 8:8‑10 He shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

Matthew 25:6 At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Isaiah 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Psalm 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

Revelation 21:23 The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Revelation 22:3‑5 The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.