You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:Father and Friend, Thy Light
Author:John Bowring
Tune:HESPERUS
Composer:Henry Baker

140. Father and Friend, Thy Light

1 Father and Friend, Thy light, Thy love,
Beaming thro' all Thy works we see;
Thy glory gilds the heav'ns above,
And all the earth is full of Thee.

2 Thy voice we hear, Thy presence feel,
While Thou, too pure for mortal sight,
Enwrapt in clouds, invisible,
Reignest the Lord of life and light.

3 We know not in what hallowed part
Of the wide heav'ns Thy throne may be;
But this we know, that where Thou art,
Strength, wisdom, goodness, dwell with Thee.

4 Thy children shall not faint nor fear,
Sustained by this delightful tho't;
Since Thou, their God, art ev'rywhere,
They cannot be where Thou art not.

Text Information
First Line: Father and Friend, Thy light, Thy love
Title: Father and Friend, Thy Light
Author: John Bowring (1824)
Meter: LM
Language: English
Publication Date: 1997
Scripture: ;
Topic: God: Holiness; God: Love; God: Providence
Tune Information
Name: HESPERUS
Composer: Henry Baker (1866)
Meter: LM
Key: F Major



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.