251. Great God, who hid from mortal sight

Great God, who hid from mortal sight

Dost dwell in un approached light,

Before whose presence angels bow

With faces veiled, in homage low;

Awhile in darkness we remain,

And round us yet are sin and pain;

But soon the everlasting day

Shall chase our shades of night away.

For Thou hast promised, gracious Lord,

A day of gladness and reward:

A day but faintly imaged here

By brightest sun at noontide clear.

Too long, alas! it still delays;

It lingers yet, that day of days;

Our mortal strife and toi'l must cease

Before we win its heavenly peace.

Then, from its fleshly bonds set free,

The soul shall fly, O God, to Thee;

To see Thee, love Thee, and adore,

Her blissful task for evermore.

Great Trinity, our hearts prepare,

The fulness of Thy joy to share;

Life's transient light may we improve,

And gain eternal light above.