Stealing from the World Away

Stealing from the world away,
We are come to seek Thy face;
Kindly meet us, Lord, we pray,
Grant us Thy reviving grace.

Yonder stars that gild the sky
Shine but with a borrowed light:
We, unless Thy light be nigh,
Wander, wrapped in gloomy night.

Sun of righteousness! dispel
All our darkness, doubts and fears:
May Thy light within us dwell,
Till eternal day appears.

Warm our hearts in prayer and praise,
Lift our every thought above;
Hear the grateful songs we raise,
Fill us with Thy perfect love.

Author: John Newton

Year: 1779

This hymn appears in the Olney Hymns collection (1779) authored primarily by John Newton (with some contributions by William Cowper). The style, themes of seeking God's face and the Sun of Righteousness metaphor, and its placement in the 'Before Sermon' or evening section align with Newton's work.