Glory to God ‎#108

108. Of the Father’s Love Begotten

1 Of the Father's love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega;
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!

2 By his Word was all created;
he commanded; it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
universe of three in one,
all that sees the moon’s soft shining,
all that breathes beneath the sun,
evermore and evermore!

3 O, that birth forever blessed
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

4 This is he whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word.
Now he shines, the long-expected.
Let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!

5 O ye heights of heaven, adore him.
Angel hosts, his praises sing.
Powers, dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent;
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!

6 Christ, to thee with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be.
Honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore! Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Of the Father's love begotten
• Title: Of the Father’s Love Begotten
• Author: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 5th cent.
• Translator: Henry Williams Baker (1859, alt.)
• Translator: John M. Neale (1854, alt.)
• Refrain First Line: evermore and evermore!
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  Psalm 113:2
  ;
  Psalm 145:1
  ;
  Psalm 150:6
  ;
  Matthew 1:20
  ;
  John 1:1
  ;
  John 1:14
  ;
  Philippians 2:7-11
  ;
  Colossians 1:15-20
  ;
  Hebrews 13:8
  ;
  Revelation 1:8
  ;
  Revelation 4:8
  ;
  Revelation 21:6
  ;
  Revelation 22:13
• Topic: Christian Year: Nativity/Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ: Birth

Tune Information

• Name: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM
• Harmonizer: C. Winfred Douglas (1940)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.7
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Plainsong, Mode V
• Copyright: Harm. © 1943, 1961, 1985 Church Pension Fund

Text Information:

Seldom has the wonder of the Incarnation been expressed so beautifully as in this text, created in the era
when the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds were being codified and mindful of similar theological affirmations.
It is set here to a plainchant melody from the late Middle Ages.