September 3 John Newton, 1725–1807 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. (Psalm 48:1, 2, 3 KJV) Of the many hymn texts by the noted English clergyman, John Newton, this one is generally considered to be one of his finest and most joyous.