In days of old on Sinai

Representative Text

1 In days of old on Sinai
the Lord Almighty came
in majesty of terror,
in thunder-cloud and flame:
on Tabor, with the glory
of sunniest light for vest,
the excellence of beauty
in Jesus was expressed.

2 All light created paled there,
and did him worship meet;
the sun itself adored him,
and bowed before his feet;
while Moses and Elias,
upon the holy mount,
the co-eternal glory
of Christ our God recount.

3 O holy, wondrous vision!
But what when, this life past,
the beauty of Mount Tabor
shall end in heaven at last?
But what when all the glory
of uncreated light
shall be the promised guerdon
of them that win the fight?

Source: CPWI Hymnal #786

Author: Cosmas, the Melodist

Cosmas, St., The Melodist. (Died circ. A.D. 760.) The second among the Greek ecclesiastical poets. He was adopted by the father of St. John of Damascus, and educated with him by a Sicilian monk also named Cosmas, who had been redeemed from slavery by his adopted father. The two foster-brothers retired together to St. Sabas, and there stimulated, assisted and vied witii one another in the composition of hymns. It is not certain whether some of the Canons, Triodia, and Idiomela under the name of Cosmas may not be the work of the elder Cosmas. He was elected Bishop of Maiuma in A.D. 743, and is commemorated in the Greek Calendar on Oct. 14. The story of Cosmas the elder is beautifully told in Milman's Lat. Christ., vol. ii. 364. Daniel, vol. i… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: In days of old on Sinai
Author: Cosmas, the Melodist
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

AURELIA

Composed by Samuel S. Wesley (PHH 206), AURELIA (meaning "golden") was published as a setting for “Jerusalem the Golden” in Selection of Psalms and Hymns, which was compiled by Charles Kemble and Wesley in 1864. Though opinions vary concerning the tune's merits (Henry J. Gauntlett once condemned…

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The Cyber Hymnal #2963
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The Cyber Hymnal #2963

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CPWI Hymnal #786

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