O gladsome light
Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured
Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest;
The lights of evening round us shine;
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.
Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.
Text: John Keble's translation (1834), public domain.
About this prayer
A Greek hymn sung when the lamps were lit at dusk, already called ancient by St Basil in the fourth century and perhaps written in the third. The Orthodox still sing it at every Vespers. John Keble's English version appeared in 1834, and many Anglican and other churches use it at Evening Prayer. The Spanish follows the Greek.