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 hallow'd page,
A lamp to guide our footsteps,
Shine on from age to age.

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 heav'n drawn picture
Of Christ, the living Word.

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.

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