Lord, when the Father ne’er was known

Lord

when the Father ne’er was known

The Father came through Thee below

That we who lived in ignorance

Might through Thyself the Father know.

But

Lord

when Thou wast here on earth

How scarce were those Thyself who knew;

A veil there was ’twixt Thee and them;

They crowded ’round

but saw not through.

Now as the Spirit Thou hast come

E’en as the Father came in Thee;

As we through Thee the Father know

Now through the Spirit we know Thee.

Not with the flesh Thou now art clothed—

Then must Thou walk with toil around;

But as the Spirit in our heart

Thou dost supply Thyself unbound.

Thou

Lord

the Father once wast called

But now the Holy Spirit art;

The Spirit is Thine other form

Thyself to dwell within our heart.

By knowing Thee as Spirit

Lord

We realize Thy life’s outflow

Thy glory and Thy character

And all Thy being’s wonders know.

Praise to Thy Name now floods our heart;

There is no one as dear as Thee;

For since we know how real Thou art

No other one could lovelier be.