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![]() | O Light that knew no dawnTranslator: John Brownlie; Author: St. Gregory of NazianzusTune: WAVERTON Published in 7 hymnals |
O Light that knew no dawn,
That shines to endless day,
All things in earth and heaven
Are lustred by Thy ray;
No eye can to Thy throne ascend,
Nor mind Thy brightness comprehend.
Thy grace, O Father, give,
That I may serve in fear;
Above all boons, I pray,
Grant me Thy voice to hear;
From sin Thy child in mercy free,
And let me dwell in light with Thee.
That, cleansed from filthy stain,
I may meet homage give,
And, pure in heart, behold
And serve Thee while I live;
Clean hands in holy worship raise,
And Thee, O Christ my Saviour, praise.
In supplication meek
To Thee I bend the knee;
O Christ, when Thou shalt come,
In love remember me,
And in Thy kingdom, by Thy grace,
Grant me a humble servant's place.
Thy grace, O Father, give,
I humbly Thee implore;
And let Thy mercy bless
Thy servant more and more.
All grace and glory be to Thee
From age to age eternally.
Hymns of the Greek Church, 1900
John Brownlie - Translator of Greek hymns
Brownlie attended the University of Glasgow and the Free Church College. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Glasgow in 1884, and in 1885 became Assistant Minister of Trinity Free Church in Portpatrick, Wigtonshire; he succeeded the the senior pastor there upon the latter's death in 1890. He joined the local School Board in 1888, and became a governor of Stranraer High School in 1897, and Chairman of the governors in 1901. Glasgow University awarded him an honorary DD degree in 1908 for his work in hymnology. His works include:
Hymns and Hymn Writers of the Church Hymnary, 1899
Hymns of Our Pilgrimage, 1889
Zionward, Hymns of the Pilgrim Life, 1890
Pilgrim Songs, 1892… Go to person page >
Gregory of Nazianzus (St. Gregory Nazianzen), Bishop of Sasima and of Constantinople, son of Gregory, Bishop of Nazianzus in Cappadocia, and Nonna, his wife, was born at a village near that city where his father had an estate, and called Arizanzus. The date of his birth is unknown, but is generally given as A.D. 325. In early childhood he was taught to read the Scriptures by his mother. From his home he passed with his brother Caesarius to a school at Caesarea, the capital of Cappadocia, where he was instructed by one Carterius, supposed by some to be the same as the subsequent head of the monasteries of Antioch, and instructor of St. Chrysostom. At Caesarea he probably met with Basil, with whom he maintained a life-long friendship. From Ca… Go to person page >| First Line: | O Light that knew no dawn |
| Translator: | John Brownlie |
| Author: | St. Gregory of Nazianzus |
| Meter: | 6.6.6.6.8.8 |
| Language: | English |
