Ancient of Days

 I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool.  His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire.

A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:9-10

Ancient of Days
William Croswell Doane (1832-1913)

Ancient of Days, who sittest throned in glory,

to Thee all knees are bent, all voices pray;
Thy love has blessed the wide world's wondrous story
with light and life since Eden's dawning day.

O holy Father. who has led Thy children
in all the ages with fire and cloud,

through seas dryshod, through weary wastes bewildering,

to Thee in reverent love our hearts are bowed.

O holy Jesus, Prince of Peace and Savior,

to Thee we owe the peace that still prevails,

stilling the rude wills of men's wild behavior,

and calming passion's fierce and stormy gales.

O Holy Ghost, the Lord and the Life giver,

Thine is the quickening power that gives increase:

from Thee have flowed, as from a mighty river,

our faith and hope, our fellowship and peace.

O Triune God, with heart and voice adoring,

praise we the goodness that doth crown our days;

pray we that Thou wilt hear us, still imploring

Thy love and favor, kept to us always.

.....

In 1886, the city of Albany, New York, was celebrating its bicentennial.  Episcopal bishop William Croswell Doane wrote this hymn for the occasion, and J. Albert Jeffery, who was in charge of music at St. Agnes School and the recently completed All Saints Cathedral, wrote the music.  That new cathedral was the setting for the hymn's introduction, and Bishop Doane himself conducted the singing.  It was a memorable day in Albany, as it celebrated its own "ancient days."

But the hymn draws our attention father back, to the majesty of the triune God who existed before all time began.  In stanza one, we see the Ancient of Days, in stanza two the Father who leads us through the wilderness, in stanza three the Son who calms the storms, in stanza four the Holy Spirit who gives life and hope, and in stanza five the triune God who answers our prayers and sustains us day by day.  In all these ways, our great God deserves our praise.  What a wonderful God we serve!

.....

Ancient of Days, Who Sittest Throned in Glory (Ancient of Days) - YouTube [hymn page and piano]

Ancient of Days [Acoustic] - Shane & Shane - YouTube  A different version by Shane & Shane

Ancient of Days (Live) - Ron Kenoly - YouTube  Another rendition with Ron Kenoly.  I've sung this version just like they do here; it was awesome night of praise!  Get your worship on!

William Croswell Doane - Wikipedia

William Croswell Doane | Hymnary.org