HYMN TO THE CREATOR OF LIGHT – JOHN RUTTER
TEXT

Glory be to thee, O lord, glory be to thee,
Creator of the visible light,
The sun’s ray, the flame of fire;
Creator also of the light invisible and intellectual:
That which is known of God, the light invisible.
Glory be to thee, O Lord, glory be to thee,
Creator of the Light.
for writings of the law, glory be to thee:
for oracles of prophets, glory be to thee:
for melody of psalms, glory be to thee:
for wisdom of proverbs, glory be to thee:
experience of histories, glory be to thee:
a light which never sets.
God is the Lord, who hath shewed us light.
(Lancelot Andrewes, 1555-1626, tr. Alexander Whyte)

 

Light, who dost my soul enlighten;
Sun, who all my life dost brighten;
Joy, the sweetest man e’er knoweth;
Fount, whence all my being floweth.
From thy banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasurer;
Through the gifts thou here dost give us,
As thy guest in heaven receive us.
(J. Franck, 1618-77, tr. Catherine Winkworth (adapted))