1  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.

 2  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.

 3  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.

 4  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.

 5  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.

 6  By knowing Thee as Spirit, Lord,

    We realize Thy life's outflow,

    Thy glory and Thy character,

    And all Thy being's wonders know.

 7  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.