The Hymnal and Order of Service ‎#347

347. Light of Light, O Sun of Heaven

1 Light of light, O Sun of heaven,
O Thou bright and morning Star,
To mankind in mercy given,
Send Thy radiance from afar,
Bringing light to all the earth,
Health and strength, and joy and mirth;
Darkness past, the dawn is breaking,
All creation is awaking.

2 Still my soul is thickly shrouded
In the chilling mist of sin,
And my conscience is beclouded
By the ignorance within.
Lead me by the hand, I pray,
Lest in error's path I stray;
Make Thy light my sole attraction,
Guiding every thought and action.

3 Spirit of the heavenly morning,
Shine into my darkened heart,
That, the way of life discerning,
I may choose the better part.
Make my erring walk secure,
Every thought and action pure;
Whereso'er my feet be turning,
Keep Thy zeal within me burning.

4 Deign Thy feeble flock to strengthen
By the bonds of sacred love,
And Thy lines of empire lengthen
By Thy power from above.
Help us govern in Thy sight,
That our laws be just and right;
That we suffer no oppression,
Make our land Thine own possession.

5 Let our lamp of faith be burning
On that awful judgment day.
While in sin's domain sojourning,
Guide us in the heavenward way:
Then their praise and thanks to Thee,
Lord, in all eternity
Shall Thy happy children render,
For Thy mercies, kind and tender.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Light of light, O Sun of heaven
• Title: Light of Light, O Sun of Heaven
• Author: Martin Opitz (1597-1639)
• Translator: Samuel Magnus Hill
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 7, 8 8.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1937
• Topic: Worship: Opening of Service; Trinity, Twenty-third Sunday; National; Morning; Spiritual Blindness; Names and Office of Christ: Light; Names and Office of Christ: Morning Star; Names and Office of Christ: Sun; Prayer of the Holy Spirit

Tune Information

• Name: FREU DICH SEHR, O MEINE SEELE
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 7 7, 8 8.
• Key: F Major
• Source: French Psalter, 1555.