O God, Before Thy Sun's Bright Beams

Verse 1

O God, before Thy sun’s bright beams
All night’s dark shadows fly;
So on the soul Thy mercy gleams,
And doubts and terrors die.

Verse 2

So freshly falls Thy heaven-sent grace,
As morning’s gladdening breath;
Gives light to all to seek Thy face,
And guides in life and death.

Verse 3

O holy light! O light of God!
O light unseen below,
Which fills the courts of Thine abode,
Which there the blest shall know!

Verse 4

Swift comes the hour when none can toil,
Short is the rugged way:
Teach us our lamps to fill with oil,
Whilst it is called to-day.

Verse 5

Then we shall see that glorious light
Which to the saints is given,
So sweet, so fair, so passing bright,
The eternal morn of heaven.

Verse 6

O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
O holy One in Three,
Grant us, with all Thy glorious host,
To share that morn with Thee.