O God, that first commandment came,

Forth leaped the sun; and earth and sky

Lay in his light, and felt his flame.

2"Let there be light!"--The light of grace

And truth, a darkling world to bless,

Came with thy word, when on our race

Broke forth the Sun of Righteousness.

3Light of our souls! how strong it grows:

That sun, how wide his beams he flings,

As up the glorious sky he goes,