Friday, December 10, 2021

18th/19th-century Moravian Hymnbooks Identifying the “Ancient of Days” with Jesus

In his 1741 book, Moravian Heresy, John Roche critiqued certain Moravians for identifying the "Ancient of days" with Jesus in their hymnography. On this, see my post:


John Roche in Response to the Moravians (1741): The "Ancient of Days" is God the Father, not Jesus


As a result, I decided to look up some Moravian hymnbooks. Here are some examples of the "Ancient of Days" being identified as Jesus:

 

Let's go to Bethle'm go with longing

And with cheerful Carols thronging,

To get sight of that Babe precious,

With whose Birth this day did bless us.

 

2. Let's go to Bethl'em! by this travel

We shall see the greatest marvel:

God himself a Man commences,

To die for his Folk's offences.

 

3. Let's go view whom Daniel mention'd

Calling him of days the Ancient; . . . (A Collection of Hymns of the Children of God in All Ages, From the Beginning Till Now. In Two Parts. Designed Chiefly for the Use of the Congregations in Union with the Brethren's Church [London: 1754], 237)

 

JESUS, the whole creation's Head,

Lord of the living and the dead,

Endless thy glories shine;

Thy blood-bought church in mercy own;

The church assembled round thy throne,

Or pilgrims here; we all are thine.

 

Pilgrims on earth, here we may rest

The sparrow here hath found a nest,

Thine altars, O Lord God!

or all thy blessings and thy care,

Our gratitude in praise and pray'r

Shall still ascent to thine abode.

 

Ye spirits of the just above

With Christ now perfected in love,

Once our companions here;

No higher strains join us to sing

blessing and honor to our King,

Till he in glory shall appear.

 

Hail! Lamb once slain, thy precious blood

hath brought us sinners night to God,

Worthy art thou alone!

Accept, O Lord, Ancient of days,

Thy universal church's praise,

Here, and around thy glorious throne. (A Collection of Hymns For Use of the Protestant Church, of the United Brethren [rev ed.; Manchester: R. & W. Dean, 1809], 285)

 

JESUS, God of our salvation,

Behold thy church with supplication

Humbly appears before thy face;

By thy powerful love constrained,

Since from thy death we life obtained,

We give thee glory, thanks, and praise:

O listen to our prayer,

TO meet thee us prepare

With due reverence;

No tongue can tell—what joy we feel,

When thou, Lord, dost thyself reveal

 

2.Thee to approach with awe we venture,

Entreating thee our gates to enter;

Our souls and bodies are thine own:

Speak to every church division,

We'll hear thy voice with deep impression,

For we are bound to thee alone:

To thee in each concern

We'll always humbly turn;

Want we insight

Let us by thee—instructed be,

Then in thy light the light we wee.

 

3. Thus our bliss will last for ever;

While we enjoy thy love and favour,

And safe beneath thy shadow rest,

We with joyful acclamation

Adore thee as thy congregation

Thou art our Head and Lord confess'd:

To thee, Ancient of Days,

Be honour, power, and praise

Now and ever:

Lord, grant that we—eternally

May put our trust alone in thee. (Liturgy and Hymns For the Use of the Protestant Church of the United Brethren, or Unitas Fratrum [rev. ed.; Bethlehem: Julius W. Held, 1851], 225-26)