The Light and Glory of the Word

The Spirit breathes upon the Word,
      And brings the truth to sight;

The Spirit breathes upon the Word,
      And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford
      A sanctifying light.

A glory gilds the sacred page,
      Majestic like the sun;
It gives a light to every age,
      It gives, but borrows none.

The hand that gave it still supplies
      The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise,
      They rise, but never set.

Let everlasting thanks be thine,
      For such a bright display,
As makes a world of darkness shine
      With beams of heavenly day.

My soul rejoices to pursue
      The steps of him I love,
Till glory break upon my view
      In brighter worlds above.

~ William Cowper