O God of Light

This is a great text by Sarah Taylor, (1883-1954).  It was first introduced in Hymnal Supplement 98 and has appeared again in Lutheran Service Book.  It is set to the tune ATKINSON...a fine and strong tune but a challenging melodic line in the third musical phrase, which covers the whole lower and upper range and gets there by a series of jumps.   It keeps things interesting, that's for sure!

O God of light, Your Word, a lamp unfailing,

    Shall pierce the darkness of our earthbound way

And show Your grace, Your plan for us unveiling,

    And guide our footsteps to the perfect day.

From days of old, through blind and willful ages,

    Though we rebelled, You gently sought again

And spoke through saints, apostles, prophets, sages,

    Who wrote with eager or reluctant pen.

Undimmed by time, those words are still revealing

    To sinful hearts Your justice and Your grace;

And questing spirits, longing for Your healing,

    See Your compassion in the Savior’s face.

To all the world Your summons You are sending,

    Through all the earth, to ev’ry land and race,

That myriad tongues, in one great anthem blending,

    May praise and celebrate Your gift of grace.