O Lord of hosts, all heaven possessing

Verse 1

O Lord of hosts, all Heaven possessing, Behold us from Thy sapphire throne, In doubt and darkness dimly guessing, We might Thy glory half have known; But Thou in Christ hast made us Thine, And on us all Thy beauties shine.

Verse 2

Illumine all, disciples, teachers, Thy law’s deep wonders to unfold; With reverent hand let wisdom’s preachers Bring forth their treasures, new and old; Let oldest, youngest, find in Thee Of truth and love the boundless sea.

Verse 3

Let faith still light the lamp of science, And knowledge pass from truth to truth, And wisdom, in its full reliance, Renew the primal awe of youth; So holier, wiser, may we grow, As time’s swift currents onward flow.

Verse 4

Bind Thou our life in fullest union With all Thy saints from sin set free; Uphold us in that blest communion Of all Thy saints on earth with Thee; Keep Thou our souls, or there, or here, In mightiest love, that casts out fear.