How Vain Was Impious Herod's Dread

For Epiphany

Translation: Arthur Tozer Russell

Music: Tune 332.—" Christum wir sollen;" or, Tune 31.

Source: Arthur Tozer Russell, ed., Psalms and hymns for the use of the Church of England. (London: John Deighton, 1851), #71.

1 How vain was impious Herod's dread
To see the crown on Jesus' head!
His hand no earthly good denies
Who gives the kingdom of the skies.

2 The Wise Men by His star are brought
To Him whom saints and prophets sought:
Their offerings Him their God confess:
Their eyes the light eternal bless.

3 O meek and holy Lamb! to Thee
Let men and angels bow the knee:
Our race to sanctify and save,
Thou dost descend to Jordan's wave.

4 Lo! in her pure and gladsome hour
Cana beheld, O Christ ! Thy power!
The water changed to wine doth show
That Thou art God with us below.

5 Again, O Jesu! let Thy might
Appear in all the heathen's sight:
In Thee alone be all our boast,
O Father! Son! and Holy Ghost!

Also found in, significantly altered, Benjamin Hall Kennedy, ed., Hymnologia Christiana, or, Psalms and hymns selected and arranged in the order of the Christian seasons. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts & Green, 1863), p. 59, #226

1 How vain was impious Herod's dread
To see the crown on Jesu's head!
No earthly good His love denies
Who gives the kingdom of the skies.

2 The wise men by a star are brought
To Him whom saints and prophets sought;
Their eyes the light eternal bless,
And offerings rare their God confess.

3 O meek and holy Lamh, to Thee
Let men and angels bow the knee:
Mankind to sanctify and save,
Thy feet go down to Jordan's wave.

4 O Jesus, in her festive hour
Rejoicing Cana sees Thy power,
And water changed to wine doth show
That God abides with men below.

5 Again, O Saviour, let Thy might
Appear in all the heathen's sight,
Till every tribe, on every coast,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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