The New English Hymnal ‎#46b

46b. Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear

1 Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear
Because the Christ is come so near?
He who doth heavenly kingdoms grant
Thine earthly realm can never want.

2 Lo, sages from the East are gone
To where the star hath newly shone:
Led on by light to Light they press,
And by their gifts their God confess.

3 The Lamb of God is manifest
Again in Jordan’s water blest,
And he who sin had never known
By washing hath our sins undone.

4 Yet he that ruleth everything
Can change the nature of the spring,
And gives at Cana this for sign--
The water reddens into wine.

5 Then glory, Lord, to thee we pay
For thine Epiphany to-day;
All glory through eternity
To Father, Son, and Spirit be. Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear
• Latin Title: Hostis Herodes impie
• Author: Caelius Sedulius (c. 450)
• Translator: Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Epiphany; Office Hymn

Tune Information

• Name: ST VENANTIUS
• Harmonizer: M. F.
• Meter: LM
• Key: F Major
• Source: Rouen Church Melody, 1728
• Copyright: Arr. by permission of Canterbury Press Norwich