1 THE people that in darkness lay,
The confines of eternal night,
We, we have seen a gospel day,
The glorious beams of heavenly light,
His Spirit in our hearts hath shone,
And showed the Father in the Son.
2 Father of everlasting grace,
Thou hast in us thy arm revealed,
Hast multiplied the faithful race,
Who, conscious of their pardon sealed,
Of joy unspeakable possest,
Anticipate their heavenly rest.
3 In tears who sowed, in joy we reap,
And praise thy goodness all day long:
Him in our eye of faith we keep,
Who gave us our triumphal song,
And doth his spoils to all divide,
A lot among the sanctified.
4 Thou hast our bonds in sunder broke,
Took all our load of guilt away;
From sin, the world, and Satan's yoke,
(Like Israel saved in Midian's day)
Redeemed us by our conquering Lord,
Our Gideon, and his Spirit's sword.
5 Not like the warring sons of men,
With shouts, and garments rolled in blood,
Our Captain doth the fight maintain;
But, lo! the burning Spirit of God
Kindles in each a secret fire;
And all our sins as smoke expire.