A Dictionary of Hymnology/Zion stands by hills surrounded

Zion stands by hills surrounded. T. Kelly. [The Security of the Church.] 1st pub. in the 2nd ed. of his Hymns, &c., 1806, in 5 st. of 6 l. (ed. 1853, No. 136). It is in C. U. in its full form, and also in centos, as:—

1. Every human tie may perish. This cento, beginning with st. ii., is given in a few American collections.

2. On the Rock of Ages founded. In the 1874 Supplement to the New Cong., No. 1216, is st. i., ii., iv., v. rewritten.

3. Sion stands with hills surrounded. This slightly altered text is in a few American hymn-books.

Taking the original text and these centos together, it is found that the use of this hymn is somewhat extensive. It is based on Pa. cxxv., 2, and is a vigorous hymn on the Security of the Church of Christ. [J. J.]