The words for today’s hymn comes from 4th century church father Ambrose of Milan. It is one of the oldest hymns still in use today in many churches. Zac Hicks notes “the teachings of Arius (c. 250-336 a.d.) had spread, leading not a small amount of Christians to doubt Jesus’ divinity and eternality. The Council of Nicaea (325 a.d.) addressed this, defending Christ’s full deity according to the Scriptures, against Arius, who was condemned for teaching heresy. It was the aftermath of this reality that became the context of Ambrose’s ministry. It is not surprising, then, that many of the hymns composed in this period were addressing issues of the nature of God as a Trinity (one God in three persons), with a particular eye toward the deity of Christ1.” The words to this one are beautiful and I have also included a modern, slightly amended song below too; enjoy!
O Splendour of God’s glory bright,
from Light eternal bringing light,
O Light of light, light’s living Spring,
true Day, all days illumining.
Come, very Sun of heaven’s love,
in lasting radiance from above,
and pour the Holy Spirit’s ray
on all we think or do today.
And now to Thee or pray’rs ascend,
O Father, glorious without end;
we plead with sov’reign grace for pow’r
to conquer in temptation’s hour.
Confirm our will to do the right,
and keep our hearts from envy’s blight;
let faith her eager fires renew,
and hate the false, and love the true.
O joyful be the passing day
with thoughts as pure as morning’s ray,
with faith like noontide shining bright,
our souls unshadowed by the night.
Dawn’s glory gilds the earth and skies,
let Him, our perfect Morn, arise,
the Word in God the Father one,
the Father imaged in the Son.
1zachicks.com/o-splendor-of-gods-glory-bright/
Hymn of the Day 