Colossians 1:15-20: "15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
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The hymn text adheres fairly closely to this passage from Colossians. Verses 15-16 are the basis for the first verse: "Praise be to Christ in whom we see / The image of the Father shown, / The firstborn Son revealed and known... Through whom creation came to birth." Verses 17-18 appear in the hymn's second verse: "Praise be to Him whose sov'reign sway / And will upholds creation's plan... Lord of the Church, its life and head... Alive, the firstborn of the dead, / To reign as all-in-all supreme." Verses 19-20 form the hymn's third verse: "Praise be to Him who, Lord Most High, / The fullness of the Godhead shares... Who came as man to bleed and die. / And from His cross there flows our peace... That so might sins and sorrows cease / And all be reconciled to God."
The description "The truth and grace of deity" in the first verse seems to come from John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
The description "The truth and grace of deity" in the first verse seems to come from John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
