Eternal Glory of the sky,
Blest Hope of frail humanity,
The Father’s sole begotten One,
Yet born a spotless virgin’s Son!
Uplift us with Thine arm of might,
And let our hearts rise pure and bright,
And, ardent in God’s praises, pay
The thanks we owe him every day.
The day-star’s rays are glittering clear,
And tell that day itself is near:
The shadows of the night depart;
Thou, holy Light, illume the heart!
Within our senses ever dwell,
And worldly darkness thence expel;
Long as the days of life endure,
Preserve our souls devout and pure.
The faith that first must be possessed,
Root deep within our inmost breast;
And joyous hope in second place,
Then charity, Thy greatest grace.
All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the holy Paraclete.
(By Ambrose of Milan)
Very old hymns have a much stronger Trinitarian emphasis than newer ones do.
Amen Carol. That’s exactly what I said over at James Grant’s blog. It’s a shame that modern contemporary choruses have very little if any doctrinal/theological reference point. Songs cannot be doxological when the substance of the song its referent it us; rather, it is only a testimonial rather than God-exalting praise and worship.
It’s no surprise that the richest hymns and worship songs came from the greatest theologians of our time (Luther, Newton, and Wesley for example). Today, I fear that we are looking for song progression or key changes for the punch and power rather than a mind-riveting, heart-stirring truth of God’s excellencies and worth.
Personally, I want to know what made Ambrose’s heart to sing. I want to know the God they knew–in such richness and sweetness. I want to sing a song where my soul is arrested far beyond what chill bumps and momentary thrills can afford. Unfortunately, for the most part, we will have to look hundreds of years to find such songs and hymns (though there are exceptions).
May there be a generation of hymn and song writers in our generation that can plunge the depths of God’s greatness and touch the deeper chords of His heart.