Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining the last three-part series on Lenten Season hymns. This “series” was not planned as I wrote in Vol. 310:
“In church last Sunday, as the soloist beautifully sang ‘What Wonderous Love Is This,’ I read the words projected on the large screen. The magnificent lyrics touched my heart and soul, and I felt a ‘ding-ding.’” That is what I call a divinely inspired message to write about a topic. Fortunately, the Lord is my assignment editor.
After the “Wonderous Love” hymn study received positive feedback, Vol. 311 featured another hymn, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord.” In that study, I shared my personal connection to the hymn. Since the quote “to sing is to pray twice” is traditionally attributed to St. Augustine, I offer one more Lenten hymn today, as next week is Palm Sunday, and that important event deserves attention.
While researching which hymn to feature, “The Glory of These Forty Days” kept coming up, so I took that as a sign. It turned out to be the perfect hymn for a Bible study, so praise God who guides this study.
After listening to numerous renditions, I selected these three: a male guitar solo, a professional-sounding church choir, and a female soloist.
The lyrics were written by St. Gregory the Great, a legendary pope who led the Roman Catholic Church from 590 to 604. His five verses recognize key figures in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, with the promise and prophecy of a Jewish Messiah, fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The lyrics read:
Recommended
1. The glory of these forty days
we celebrate with songs of praise,
for Christ, through whom all things were made,
himself has fasted and has prayed.
2. Alone and fasting Moses saw
the loving God who gave the law,
and to Elijah, fasting came
the steeds and chariots of flame.
3. So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
delivered from the lions' might,
and John, the Bridegroom's friend, became
the herald of Messiah's name.
4. Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
full oft in fast and prayer with thee;
our spirits strengthen with thy grace,
and give us joy to see thy face.
5. O Father, Son and Spirit blest,
to thee be every prayer addressed,
who art in threefold name adored,
from age to age, the only Lord.
Let’s unpack the meaning of these lyrics.
The first stanza explains the purpose of the Lenten Season, when Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness while being tempted and taunted by Satan. That is why the gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent is Matthew 4:1-11. The first four verses:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” And the last two verses, when Jesus would not relent:
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
Second Stanza:
There were three instances when Moses fasted for forty days and nights, related to his trip to the mountain to receive the law from God. The first:
“Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights” (Exodus 24:18).
Later, he recounted the second time, while seeing his people worshipping a golden calf, Moses broke the first set of tablets.
“When once again I fell prostrate before the Lord for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the Lord’s sight and so arousing his anger” (Deuteronomy 9:18). The third time:
“Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments” (Exodus 34:28).
Elijah is also mentioned in this second stanza. He represents the prophets, and why Moses and Elijah both appeared to Jesus at the Transfiguration, the gospel reading for the second Sunday of Lent.
Third Stanza:
The prophet Daniel called upon God to deliver him from the lion's den. John the Baptist, known for prayer and fasting, is the “friend” of Christ, the Bridegroom who is wedded to the Church, His Bride.
Fourth Stanza:
Here we ask the Lord to be like these Old Testament men, who were challenged by circumstances but never wavered in their faith, prayer, and trust in You. I am especially pleased with the phrase “give us joy to see thy face” for a reason discussed shortly. But here, it means when our earthly journey is over, the faithful will see Him in heaven.
Fifth Stanza:
The Trinity is acknowledged, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will be worshipped “from age to age” because He is the one and “only Lord.”
Picking up on “give us joy to see thy face” hits me in the face because I just finished producing a Shroud of Turin exhibit, where part of the exhibit is dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus as seen on the Shroud. That mysterious face, often reproduced, miraculously appeared when the Shroud was photographed for the first time in 1898 and then developed in the dark room. The exhibit is open daily at Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica in Orlando, Florida, through September.
Also at the Basilica are magnificent Gospel Gardens, comprising 14 larger-than-life bronze panels depicting the Stations of the Cross by Timothy Schmalz, a world-renowned sculptor. Together, the Shroud exhibit and the Gospel Gardens will enhance your Orlando experience at no charge.
Looking forward to Palm Sunday. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible" reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2," reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can help support our new six-month exhibit in Orlando, Florida. Contact: Myraadams01@gmail.com
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