O wondrous type, O vision fair

O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!

The law and prophets there have place,
the chosen witnesses of grace;
the Father's voice from our the cloud
proclaims his only Son aloud.

With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.

And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision's mystery;
for which in joyful strains we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymns of praise.

O Father, with the eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever One,
vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
to see thy glory face to face.

Words: Latin, fifteenth century;
trans. Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1861

Music: Wareham, Aeterne Rex altissime, O nata Lux de Lumine, Sandys Psalm 8

Meter: LM

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.