In a hymnal he compiled, Benjamin Wilson (1817–1900), best known for producing the Emphatic Diaglott, identified the "Ancient of Days" with the person of God the Father. While this is the “mainstream” interpretation, it is interesting as his then-close theological associate and friend, John Thomas, understood it to be the Father through the person of the Son in light of his “God-manifestation” or phanerosis doctrine and his nephew, Thomas Wilson, believed Jesus was, if not the, at least an "Ancient of Days":
1 O worship the King, all glorious above,
And gratefully sing his wonderful love,
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
. . .
5 Father Almighty, how faithful thy love!
While angels delight to hymn thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall lisp to thy praise.
(Hymn 6 in Benjamin Wilson, The Sacred Melodist: Being a Collection of
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, for use by Christian Assemblies [Geneva,
Ill.: B. Wilson, 1860], 88)
On Thomas' "God-manifestation" understanding of Jesus and the "Ancient of Days," see, for e.g.:
On Thomas Wilson's interpretation of the "Ancient of Days," see:
Thomas Wilson (1835-1926) on Jesus being the “Ancient of Days” in Daniel 7
