THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS

TEXT: Clarum decs jejunit; Gregory the Great, C. 540-604; Tr. By Maurice F. Bell, 1862-1947.
MUSIC: Louis Bourgeois, c. 1510-1561
TUNE: OLD HUNDREDTH
METER: LM (Long Meter: 88 88)


In researching this hymn, there was not a lot of material to use to write this article. Only one source was found. On the website, Lectionary.org, Richard Niell Donovan writes of this hymn:

“We don't know who wrote this hymn, but we know that it is very old -- at least as early as the tenth century, and probably much older. When this hymn was first sung, few people could read. They learned these words and sang them from memory -- or heard a choir sing them. As long ago as the Dark Ages, this hymn was bringing light into the lives of Christians.

The hymn speaks of ‘forty days.’ The forty days of which it speaks were the forty days of Christ's temptation. Those were days of hunger and thirst, because Jesus fasted for those forty days. They were days spent in the loneliness of the desert. We wouldn't want to experience what Jesus experienced during those forty days, because they were hard days, but this hymn speaks of ‘the glory of these forty days,’ and it says, ‘we celebrate with songs of praise.’

Those words might seem odd, given Jesus' suffering during those forty days -- but it isn't his suffering that we celebrate -- it is his triumph over evil -- and his promise to help us triumph over evil as well. As we remember Jesus' temptation, let us not forget that we are tempted too -- often -- every day. Let us remember to pray for Christ's help each day -- that Christ will keep us on the right path -- that God will help us to accomplish something worthy -- and that Christ will protect us from the evil one.”


It is disappointing that our current hymnal, Gather Comprehensive, uses the OLD HUNDREDTH tune as the tune for this Lent hymn instead of the popular Lent tune ERHALT UNS HERR.



1. The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by 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 lion’s might;
And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The herald of Messiah’s name.

4. Then grant that we like them be true,
Consumed in fast and prayer with you;
Our spirits strengthen with your grace.
And give us joy to see your face.