Thou, Lord, by mortal eyes unseen

1 Thou, Lord, by mortal eyes unseen,
And by thy offspring here unknown,
to manifest thyself to men,
Hast set thine image in thy Son.

2 As the bright sun's meridian blaze
O'erwhelms and pains our feeble sight,
But cheers us with his softer rays,
When shining with reflected light;

3 So, in thy Son, thy pow'r divine,
Thy wisdom, justice, truth and love,
With mild and pleasing lustre shine
Reflected from thy throne above.

4 Though Jews, who granted not his claim,
Contemptuous who turn'd away their face;
Yet those, who trusted in his name,
Beheld in him thy truth and grace.

5 O thou! at whose almighty word
Fair light at first from darkness shone,
Teach us to know our glorious Lord,
And trace the Father in the Son.

6 While we thine image, here display'd,
With love and admiration view;
Form us in likeness to our head,
That we may bear thy image too.

Source: A Collection of Hymns and A Liturgy: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran Churches; to which are added prayers for families and individuals #110