Eternal light! Eternal light!

Eternal light! eternal light!
How pure the soul must be,
when, placed within your searching sight,
it shrinks not, but with calm delight
can face such majesty.

2. The spirits who surround your throne
may bear the burning bliss;
but that is surely theirs alone,
since they have never, never known
a fallen world like this.

3. O how shall I, whose dwelling here
is dark, whose mind is dim,
before the face of God appear
and on my human spirit bear
the uncreated beam?

4. There is a way for man to rise
to that sublime abode:
an offering and a sacrifice,
a Holy Spirit’s energies,
an advocate with God.

5. Such grace prepares us for the sight
of holiness above;
those once in ignorance and night
can dwell in the eternal Light,
through the eternal Love.