We saw Thee not when Thou didst come

Verse 1

We saw Thee not when Thou didst come
To this poor world of sin and death,
Nor e'er beheld Thy cottage home
In that despised Nazareth;

But we believe Thy footsteps trod
Its streets and plains, Thou Son of God.

Verse 2

We did not see Thee lifted high
Amid that wild and savage crew,
Nor heard Thy meek, imploring cry,
Forgive, they know not what they do;

Yet we believe the deed was done
Which shook the earth, and veiled the sun.

Verse 3

We stood not by the empty tomb
Where late Thy sacred body lay,
Nor sat within that upper room,
Nor met Thee in the open way;

But we believe the angel said,
Why seek the living with the dead?

Verse 4

We did not mark the chosen few
When Thou didst through the clouds ascend,
First lift to heaven their wondering view,
Then to the earth all prostrate bend;

Yet we believe that mortal eyes
Beheld that journey to the skies.

Verse 5

And now that Thou dost reign on high,
And thence Thy waiting people bless,
No ray of glory from the sky
Doth shine upon our wilderness;

But we believe Thy faithful word,
And trust in our redeeming Lord.