O God of Truth and Lord of Power / Rector Potens Verax Deus

Whose Fiery Sun at Noonday Shines

O God of Truth and Lord of Power is an 1852 translation by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer John M. Neale of the Office hymn for Sext: Rec­tor Po­tens, Ver­ax De­us, attributed to St. Am­brose of Mi­lan (337-397). In the Divine Office (1974), O God of Truth and Lord of Power is used with the Office of Readings. The recommended tune in the Office is Severn View. An alternative tune that can also be used is Winchester New, as featured in the following video.


Tune: Winchester New

O GOD OF TRUTH, O LORD OF MIGHT by John Mason Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. O God of truth, O Lord of might,
Who ord’rest time and change aright,
Bright’ning the morn with golden gleams,
Kindling the noonday’s fiery beams.

2. Quench Thou in us the flame of strife,
From passion’s heat preserve our life,
Our bodies keep from perils free,
And give our souls true peace in Thee.

3. Almighty Father, hear my cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.


Gregorian

RECTOR POTENS, VERAX DEUS

1. Rector potens, verax Deus,
qui temperas rerum vices,
splendore mane instruis
et ignibus meridiem,

2. Extingue flammas litium,
aufer calorem noxium,
confer salutem corporum
veramque pacem cordium.

3. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.
 
Ambrosian