Splendor of the thoughts of God

1 Splendour of the thoughts of God
For the life of men,
Visions of the saints and seers
Burn for us again!
From the night of ancient wrongs
Wake our eyes to see
Dawning in the skies the day
God shall bring to be.

2 Lo, from out the heavy dark
Strained and haggard eyes
Turn toward that breaking dawn
With their dumb surmise
Women from their tragic shame,
Weary men who bow
To the burden of the world
Cry Thy coming now!

3 Shame of all our lust and greed,
Shame of lives that lie
Couched in ease while down their streets
Pain and want go by
In the twilight of our sins,
These we suffer long,
While our strength lies dull before
Earth's unrighted wrong.

4 Splendour of the thoughts of God
Through the shadows rise,
Burn the films of self and sin
From our blinded eyes!
Penitents, we come to learn
What we ought to do;
Give the vision then, O God,
Strength to make it true!

Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #388