Scripture Verse

My kingdom is not of this world: If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence. John 18:36

Introduction

Words: Cae­li­us Se­du­li­us, 5th Cen­tu­ry (Cru­del­is He­rod­es, De­um). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Ri­chard Mant, An­cient Hymns from the Ro­man Bre­vi­ary (Lon­don: J. G. & F. Riv­ing­ton, 1837), num­ber 35.

Music: Do­vers­dale Sam­uel Stan­ley (1767–1822) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
Richard Mant (1776–1848)

Lyrics

Why, Herod, why the Godhead fear,
When told Judea’s king was near?
Not earthly crowns away to bear
He came, but heav’nly to confer.

Led by the star, which ruled their sight,
To seek and find the Lord of Light,
The Magi spread their gifts abroad,
And prostrate own the present God.

The present God the heav’ns pro­claim,
When to the laver pure He came,
The spotless Lamb; and on Him bore
Our sins, who knew not sin before.

The God the blushing waters own
By mighty sign, unheard, unknown;
When the pure spring, poured forth in wine,
Confessed the present power divine.

Now unto Him, th’incarnate Son,
Whose glo­ry to the world was shown,
With God the Fa­ther glo­ry be,
And, holy Com­fort­er, with Thee!