E bless Thee, Lord, for that clear light,The dayspring from on high,That burst upon the Gentile night,And bade the darkness fly.We bless Thee for the joyful sound,First sent by holy Paul,The voice that woke earth's utmost bound,To hear Thy gracious call.
And as in him fierce, ruthless zeal,Touched by Thy love, becameAn ardent thirst for others' weal,A pure and holy flame:So in our hearts all wrath dispel,All bitterness destroy;And let Thy mind within us dwell,Thy love and peace and joy.
And of Thy mercy, hear our cryFor this long-favoured land,That now, as in the days gone by,Her strength may be Thy hand;That still the great Apostle's swordUndaunted she may wield,And find that never-failing wordHer weapon and her shield.
May she her holy lot fulfil,Earth's sanctuary to be,And stand amid the nations still,A witness true for Thee.And when the last dread trumpet's soundUpon her ear shall ring,Grant that her children may be foundPrepared to meet their King.
E bless Thee, Lord, for that clear light, The dayspring from on high,That burst upon the Gentile night, And bade the darkness fly.We bless Thee for the joyful sound, First sent by holy Paul,The voice that woke earth's utmost bound, To hear Thy gracious call.
E bless Thee, Lord, for that clear light, The dayspring from on high,That burst upon the Gentile night, And bade the darkness fly.We bless Thee for the joyful sound, First sent by holy Paul,The voice that woke earth's utmost bound, To hear Thy gracious call.