Verse 1

O WORD of God incarnate, O wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky, We praise Thee for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

Verse 2

The Church from her dear Master Received the gift divine, And still that light she lifteth, O’er all the earth to shine; It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture Of Christ, the living Word;

Verse 3

It floateth like a banner Before God’s host unfurled; It shineth like a beacon Above the darkling world; It is the chart and compass That, o’er life’s surging sea, Mid mists, and rocks, and quicksands, Still guides, O Christ, to Thee.

Verse 4

O make Thy Church, dear Saviour, A lamp of burnished gold, To bear before the nations Thy true light as of old; O teach Thy wandering pilgrims By this their path to trace, Till, clouds and darkness ended, They see Thee face to face.

Background: O Word Of God Incarnate O Wisdom