O Christ, our true and only Light

Representative Text

1 O Christ, our true and only light,
enlighten those who sit in night;
let those afar now hear your voice
and in your fold with us rejoice.

2 Fill with the radiance of your grace
the souls now lost in error's maze;
enlighten those whose inmost minds
some dark delusion haunts and blinds.

3 O gently call those gone astray
that they may find the saving way;
let ev'ry conscience sore oppressed
in you find peace and heav'nly rest.

4 Shine on the darkened and the cold,
recall the wand'rers to your fold;
unite all those who walk apart,
confirm the weak and doubting heart,

5 That they with us may evermore
such grace with wond'ring thanks adore
and endless praise to you be giv'n
by all your Church in earth and heav'n.

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #904

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

Author: Johann Heermann

Johann Heermann's (b. Raudten, Silesia, Austria, 1585; d. Lissa, Posen [now Poland], 1647) own suffering and family tragedy led him to meditate on Christ's undeserved suffering. The only surviving child of a poor furrier and his wife, Heermann fulfilled his mother's vow at his birth that, if he lived, he would become a pastor. Initially a teacher, Heermann became a minister in the Lutheran Church in Koben in 1611 but had to stop preaching in 1634 due to a severe throat infection. He retired in 1638. Much of his ministry took place during the Thirty Years' War. At times he had to flee for his life and on several occasions lost all his possessions. Although Heermann wrote many of his hymns and poems during these devastating times, his persona… Go to person page >

Timeline

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The Cyber Hymnal #4753
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Instances

Instances (1 - 5 of 5)
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Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #198

Text

Christian Worship #904

TextPage Scan

Christian Worship (1993) #569

Text

Lutheran Service Book #839

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The Cyber Hymnal #4753

Include 91 pre-1979 instances
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