: Reflects 2 Corinthians 3:18, focusing on believers being transformed "from glory to glory" as they reflect Christ.
: Kendrick initially wrote three verses but felt the song was incomplete. The famous chorus was written months later in approximately 20–30 minutes. It was first performed at the Spring Harvest conference in 1987.
The following themes and historical contexts are frequently highlighted in scholarly and liturgical reviews: Lord, the light of Your love (Shine, Jesus, shine)
: A Trinitarian prayer calling on the Father's glory (John 7:19), the Spirit's fire (Matthew 3:11), and "rivers" of grace (John 7:38).
: Usually performed in common time (4/4) at a moderate tempo (~110-115 bpm), it often uses a unique ♭VII (G major in the key of A) harmonic progression in the pre-chorus. : Reflects 2 Corinthians 3:18, focusing on believers
It was voted the UK's 10th favourite hymn in a 2005 BBC Songs of Praise poll.
: Alludes to John 1:5 (light in darkness), John 8:12 (Jesus as the Light of the World), and John 8:32 (the truth setting us free). It was first performed at the Spring Harvest
: The hymn is densely packed with scriptural allusions, primarily from the Gospel of John.