The words were written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Frederick William Faber (1814-1863).
With meter 8.6.8.6, tunes it has been set to include
- ST FLAVIAN - from Day's Psalter 1562 - the most commonly used tune with these words
- ST BENEDICT
- DETROIT
Downloads
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Examples
Organ and congregation - MELCOMBE
Solo singer, unaccompanied: ST FLAVIAN
Lyrics
Traditional language
Most ancient of all mysteries,Before Thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.
When heav'n and earth were yet unmade,
When time was yet unknown,
Thou in Thy bliss and majesty
Didst live and love alone.
Thou wert not born; there was no fount
From which Thy Being flowed;
There is no end which Thou canst reach;
But Thou art simply God.
How wonderful creation is,
The work which Thou didst bless,
And O what then must Thou be like,
Eternal loveliness!
O listen then, most pitiful,
To Thy poor creature's heart:
It blesses Thee that Thou art God,
That Thou art what Thou art.
Most ancient of all mysteries,
Still at thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.
Modern English
Most ancient of all mysteries,Before Thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.
When heav'n and earth were yet unmade,
When time was yet unknown,
Thou in Thy bliss and majesty
Didst live and love alone.
Thou wert not born; there was no fount
From which Thy Being flowed;
There is no end which Thou canst reach;
But Thou art simply God.
How wonderful creation is,
The work which Thou didst bless,
And O what then must Thou be like,
Eternal loveliness!
O listen then, most pitiful,
To Thy poor creature's heart:
It blesses Thee that Thou art God,
That Thou art what Thou art.
Most ancient of all mysteries,
Still at thy throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.
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