We Saw Thee Not

We saw Thee not when Thou didst come

To this poor world of sin and death;

Nor yet be­held Thy cot­tage home

In that de­spis­èd Na­za­reth.

But we be­lieve Thy foot­steps trod

Its streets and plains

Thou Son of God.

But we be­lieve Thy foot­steps trod

Its streets and plains

Thou Son of God.

We did not see Thee lift­ed high

Amid that wild and sav­age crew;

Nor heard Thy meek

im­plor­ing cry

Forgive

they know not what they do!

Yet we be­lieve the deed was done

That shook the earth and veiled the sun.

But we be­lieve the deed was done

Which shook the earth and veiled the sun.

We stood not by the emp­ty tomb

Where late Thy sac­red bo­dy lay;

Nor sat with­in that up­per room

Nor met Thee on the op­en way.

But we be­lieve that an­gels said

Why seek the liv­ing with the dead?

But we be­lieve that an­gels said

Why seek the liv­ing with the dead?

We did not mark the chos­en few

When Thou didst through the clouds as­cend

First lift to Heav­en their won­der­ing view

Then to the earth all pros­trate bend;

But we be­lieve that mor­tal eyes

Beheld that jour­ney to the skies;

But we be­lieve that mor­tal eyes

Beheld that jour­ney to the skies.

And now that Thou dost reign on high

And thence Thy wait­ing peo­ple bless

No ray of glo­ry from the sky

Doth shine up­on our wil­der­ness;

But we be­lieve Thy faith­ful Word

And trust in our re­deem­ing Lord;

But we be­lieve Thy faith­ful Word

And trust in our re­deem­ing Lord.