I love the wonder, enthusiasm and God-glorifying mystery of this hymn by Thomas Binney (written about 1826). It reminds me of the expression often used in America during the early 1800's – "What Hath God Wrought?" That phrase, amazing in the irony of it, became secularized to refer to the genius and industry of man in the industrial and communication revolution, but the original and true significance of the phrase calls us to acknowledge the wonder of "the life of God in the soul of man" created by the power of God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit in a soul that was by nature hardened and darkened in sin.
Eternal Light! eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be
When, placed within Thy searching sight,
It shrinks not, but with calm delight
Can live, and look on Thee!
The spirits that surround Thy throne
May bear the burning bliss;
But that is surely theirs alone,
Since they have never, never known
A fallen world like this.
O how shall I, whose native sphere
Is dark, whose mind is dim,
Before the Ineffable appear,
And on my naked spirit bear
That uncreated beam?
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.
These, these prepare us for the sight
Of holiness above;
The sons of ignorance and night,
May dwell in the eternal Light,
Through the eternal Love.
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