The Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook ‎#166

166. Eternal Light! Eternal Light!

1 Eternal Light! Eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be,
when, placed within Your searching sight,
it shrinks not, but with calm delight
can face such majesty.

2 The spirits who surround Your throne
may bear that burning bliss;
but that is surely theirs alone,
since they have never, never known
a fallen world like this.

3 O how shall I, whose dwelling here
is dark, whose mind is dim,
before the face of God appear
and on my human spirit bear
The uncreated beam?

4 There is a way for us to rise
to that sublime abode:
an offering and a sacrifice,
a Holy Spirit’s energies,
an advocate with God.

5 Such grace prepares us for the sight
of holiness above;
those once in ignorance and night
can dwell in the eternal Light,
through the eternal Love.

Text Information

• First Line: Eternal Light! Eternal Light!
• Author: Thomas Binney, 1798-1874
• Meter: 86 886
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2004
• Topic: The Fall: The Human Condition; The Temple: Worship
• Source: Revision: Compilers of Praise! 2000 and Jubilate Hymns

Tune Information

• Name: NEWCASTLE
• Composer: Henry Killick Morley, b. 1834
• Meter: 86 886
• Key: G Major
• Source: London Tune Book, 1877