The New English Hymnal ‎#150b

150b. O blest Creator of the light

1 O blest Creator of the light,
Who makest the day with radiance bright,
And o’er the forming world didst call
The light from chaos first of all;

2 Whose wisdom joined in meet array
The morn and eve, and named them Day:
Night comes with all its darkling fears;
Regard thy people’s prayers and tears:

3 Lest, sunk in sin and whelm'd with strife,
They lose the gift of endless life;
While, thinking but the thoughts of time,
They weave new chains of guilt and crime.

4 But grant them grace that they may strain
The heavenly gate and prize to gain:
Each harmful lure aside to cast,
And purge away each error past.

5 O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who with the Spirit and with thee
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O blest Creator of the light
• Latin Title: Creator lucis optime
• Translator: Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Office Hymn: Sunday evening; The Christian Year: From Trinity Sunday to Advent
• Source: Latin, 8th century or earlier

Tune Information

• Name: LUCIS CREATOR
• Harmonizer: Martin Shaw, 1875-1958
• Meter: LM
• Key: e minor
• Source: 17th century Angers Church Melody
• Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")