Scripture Verse

The darkness is past, and the true Light now shineth. 1 John 2:8

Introduction

portrait
Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878)

Words: Jo­hann Heer­mann, 1630 (O Je­su Chris­te, wahr­es Licht). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Ca­the­rine Wink­worth, Ly­ra Ger­ma­ni­ca (Lon­don & New York: George Newnes & Charles Scrib­ner’s Sons, 1855), pag­es 216–17.

Music: Bres­lau As Hym­no­dus Sa­cer (Leip­zig, Ger­ma­ny: 1625) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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Johann Heermann (1585–1647)

Lyrics

O Christ, our true and only light,
Illumine those who sit in night,
Let those afar now hear Thy voice,
And in Thy fold with us rejoice.

Fill with the radiance of Thy grace
The souls now lost in error’s maze,
And all whom in their secret minds,
Some dark delusion hurts and blinds.

And all who else have strayed from Thee,
O gently seek! Thy healing be
To every wounded conscience giv’n;
And let them also share Thy heav’n.

O make the deaf to hear Thy Word;
And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,
Who dare not yet the faith avow
Though secretly they hold it now.

Shine on the darkened and the cold;
Recall the wanderers to Thy fold;
Unite those now who walk apart;
Confirm the weak and doubting heart.

So they with us may ev­er­more
Such grace with wondering thanks adore,
And endless praise to Thee be giv’n
By all Thy Church in earth and Heav’n.