Summer suns are glowing

1. God’s free mercy streameth

Over all the world,

And his banner gleameth,

By his church unfurled;

Broad and deep and glorious,

As the heaven above,

Shines in might victorious

His eternal love.

2. Summer suns are glowing

Over land and sea;

Happy light is flowing,

Bountiful and free;

Everything rejoices

In the mellow rays;

Earth’s ten thousand voices

Swell the psalm of praise.

3. Lord, upon our blindness

Thy pure radiance pour;

For thy loving-kindness

We would love thee more;

And when clouds are drifting

Dark across the sky,

Then, the veil uplifting,

Father, be thou nigh.

4. We will never doubt thee,

Tho’ thou veil thy light;

Life is dark without thee,

Death with thee is bright.

Light of light, shine o’er us

On our pilgrim way,

Go thou still before us

To the endless day.

William Walsham How (1823-1897) is author of the hymn “Summer,” published in Church Hymns in 1871. How was a Bishop in the Church of England, known for his work among the poor and destitute. The hymn is often set to the tune Ruth, written by Samuel Smith (1821-1917) in 1865. The meter is 6.5.6.5.D.