The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1760

1760. Great God, Who, Hid from Mortal Sight

1. Great God, who, hid from mortal sight,
Dost dwell in unapproachèd light,
Before whose throne with veilèd brow,
Thy sinless angels trembling bow.

2. A while in darkness here below
We lie oppressed with sin and woe;
But soon the everlasting day
Shall chase the night of gloom away.

3. The day prepared for us by Thee;
The day reserved for us to see;
A day but faintly imaged here
By brightest sun at noontide clear.

4. Too long, alas! it still delays,
It lingers yet, that day of days;
The flesh, with all its load of sin,
Must perish, ere its joy we win.

5. Then from these earthy bonds set free
The soul shall fly, O God, to Thee;
To see Thee, love Thee, and adore,
Her blissful task for evermore.

6. All bounteous Trinity! prepare
Our souls Thy hidden joy to share,
That our brief daytime, used aright,
May issue in eternal light.

Text Information

• First Line: Great God, who, hid from mortal sight
• Title: Great God, Who, Hid from Mortal Sight
• Latin Title: O Luce qui mortalibus
• Translator (from Latin): John Chandler
• Meter: 88.88.88
• Language: English
• Source: Paris Breviary, 1736; Translation: Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837, number 10

Tune Information

• Name: EISENACH
• Composer: Johann Herman Schein (1628)
• Harmonizer: Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 88.88.88
• Incipit: 13455 43256 71766
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Repeats last two lines of each verse.