God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5
Words: Arthur S. Booth-Clibborn, in the Salvation Army’s War Cry, April 13, 1895. Booth-Clibborn said he wrote these words in times of persecution and imprisonment.
Music: Sagina (Short) Thomas Campbell, Bouquet 1825 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
O God of light, O God of love,
Shine on my soul from Heaven above!
Let sin appear in Thy pure ray
As black as on the judgment day;
Let perfect love apply the test,
And all that’s wrong make manifest.
O take Thy plummet and Thy line,
Apply them to this heart of mine,
And thus reveal each crooked place,
By contrast with true righteousness!
Let holy truth condemn each sham;
Show what Thou art, and what I am.
O smite and spare not, faithful God!
A Father’s hand still holds the rod;
O make my sin-stained conscience smart,
And write Thy law upon my heart
So plainly, that my will shall bow
In full surrender, here and now!
Work on in me Thy perfect will,
In me Thy promise, Lord, fulfill;
O make me quick to fight for Thee,
And set my soul in liberty!
My soul can rest in nothing less
Than in a spotless holiness.