172 – O Word of God Incarnate

O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: we praise you for the radiance that from the hallowed page, a lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.

The church from her dear Master, Received the gift divine, and still that light is lifted 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.

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 quick sands, still guides, O Christ, to Thee.

O make Thy church dear Savior, a lamp of purest gold, to bear before the nations your true light as of old. O teach your wandering pilgrims by this their path to trace, till, clouds and darkness ended they see you face to face.