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 the footsteps,

   Shines 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 treasure

   Where gems of truth are stored;

It is the heaven-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 guide, O Christ, to Thee.

 4 

O make Thy Church, dear Savior,

   A lampstand of pure gold,

To bear before the nations

   Thy light, that all behold;

O teach Thy wandering pilgrims

   By this their path to trace,

Till, clouds and darkness ended,

   They see Thee face to face.