The moon in silver glory shone

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. The moon in silver glory shone,And not a cloud in sight;When suddenly a shade begunTo intercept her light.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. How fast across her orb it spread,How fast her light withdrew!A circle, tinged with languid red,Was all appeared in view.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. While many with unmeaning eyeGaze on thy works in vain;Assist me, LORD, that I may tryInstruction to obtain.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. Fain would my thankful heart and lipsUnite in praise to thee;And meditate on thy eclipse,In sad Gethsemane.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Thy peoples guilt, a heavy load!(When standing in their room)Deprived thee of the light of God,And filled thy soul with gloom.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. How punctually eclipses move,Obedient to thy will!Thus shall thy faithfulness and love,Thy promises fulfill.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. Dark, like the moon without the sun,I mourn thine absence, Lord!For light or comfort I have none,But what thy beams afford.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. But lo! the hour draws near apace,When changes shall be o’er;Then I shall see thee face to face,And be eclipsed no more.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 85. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-85