Main message: Journey to the glorious kingdom.

Bible references:

• V1. "let our joys be known" (Psalm 149:2)

"song with sweet accord" (Hebrews 2:12)

"...and thus surround the throne" (Revelations 14:3)

• V2. "Who never knew our God" (Ephesians 2:12)

"children of the heav'nly King" (1 John 3:1)

"May speak their joys abroad" (1 Peter 2:9)

• V3. "Zion" (Psalm 74:2; 76:2)

"yields a thousand sacred sweets" (Psalm 133:3)

• V4. "every tear be dry" (Revelations 21:4)

"Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14)(Matthew 1:23)

"Beautiful city of God" (2 Peter 3:13)(Revelations 21:1-2)

Keywords: Come, joys be known, a song, surround, throne, sing, children King, Zion, sacred sweets, reach, songs abound, marching, Immanuel’s ground, Marching to Zion, Beautiful city, God

Interpretation notes:

• The hymn is strophic, with the same melody used for each stanza. 

• The second phrase of each stanza is repeated with the same melody and rhythm, except for the last two notes. 

• The text 'marching upward to Zion' is set to an ascending melodic line, and 'beautiful' is repeated in a higher range. 

• The refrain closes with repeated notes on 'the beautiful city of God.'