Scripture Verse

Take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19

Introduction

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Ambrose of Milan
340–397

Words: At­trib­ut­ed to Am­brose of Mi­lan, 4th Cen­tu­ry (Ae­ter­na coe­li glor­ia). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by John M. Neale in The Hym­nal Not­ed, 1854.

Music: Ware­ham Will­iam Knapp, 1738 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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William Knapp (1698–1768)

Lyrics

Eternal Glo­ry of the sky,
Blest Hope of frail hu­ma­ni­ty,
The Fa­ther’s sole be­got­ten One,
Yet born a spot­less vir­gin’s Son!

Uplift us with Thine arm of might,
And let our hearts rise pure and bright,
And, ar­dent in God’s prais­es, pay
The thanks we owe him ev­ery day.

The day-star’s rays are glit­ter­ing clear,
And tell that day it­self is near:
The sha­dows of the night de­part;
Thou, ho­ly Light, il­lume the heart!

Within our sens­es ev­er dwell,
And world­ly dark­ness thence ex­pel;
Long as the days of life en­dure,
Preserve our souls de­vout and pure.

The faith that first must be pos­sessed,
Root deep with­in our in­most breast;
And joy­ous hope in se­cond place,
Then cha­ri­ty, Thy great­est grace.

All laud to God the Fa­ther be,
All praise, eter­nal Son, to Thee;
All glo­ry, as is ev­er meet,
To God the ho­ly Pa­ra­clete.