1 Behold the sun, how bright
From yonder east he springs,
As if the soul of life and light
Were breathing from his wings.

2 So bright the gospel broke
Upon the souls of men;
So fresh the dreaming world awoke
In truth's full radiance then.

3 Before yon sun arose,
Stars clustered through the sky;
But, O, how dim, how pale, were those,
To his one burning eye!

4 So truth lent many a ray,
To bless the Pagan's night;
But, Lord, how faint, how cold, were they,
To Thy one glorious light!