O Word of God Incarnate

1O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky,

RefrainWe praise Thee for the radiance
That from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps,
Shines on from age to age.
It is the golden casket
Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven-drawn picture
Of Christ the living Word.
'Mid mists and rocks and quicksands,
Still guides, O Christ, to Thee.
Till, clouds and darkness ended,
They see Thee face to face.

2The church from her dear Master
Received the gift divine,
And still that light she lifteth
O'er all the earth to shine.

3It floateth like a banner
Before God's host unfurled;
It shineth like a beacon
Above the darkling world.

4O make Thy church, dear Savior,
A lamp of purest gold,
To bear before the nations
Thy true light as of old.