O God of Light and Life and Joy

O God of Light and Life and Joy,
Blest Trinity! my soul employ
While I have power to sing:
No song too glad to raise to Thee,
Eternal, glorious Trinity,--
No gift too rich to bring.

When darkness brooded o'er the earth,
At thy command light had its birth,
And night and darkness fled;
And still, where hearts are bound in night,
Thou speak'st the word, "Let there be light,"
And noontide beams are shed.

Death held the Christ of God enchained,
The grave the Lord of Life restrained,
And eyes were filled with tears;--
Awoke the morn in eastern skies!
Behold, the Lord of Life arise!
Farewell to mortal fears!

O joyless still the spirit sighs,
And fearful looks to ebon skies,
And stars begin to shine;--
Lo! overhead the bright array,
The night is shining as the day,
When hopes and fears entwine.

O God of Light and Life and Joy,
Blest Trinity, my soul employ
While I have power to sing:
No song too glad to raise to Thee,
Eternal, glorious Trinity,
No gift too rich to bring.

Hymns of the Holy Eastern Church, 1902