Unless stated otherwise, my source for hymn texts and tunes is The Lutheran Service Book.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

LSB #519 "In His Temple Now Behold Him"

Biblical citation in the hymnal:  Luke 2:22-38

Luke 2:22-38:  "22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord') 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'  25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 'Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.'

"33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.  34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

"36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.  She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem."

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The text is public domain:
In His temple now behold Him,
See the long-expected Lord;
Ancient prophets had foretold Him,
God has now fulfilled His word.
Now to praise Him, His redeemed
Shall break forth with one accord.
In the arms of her who bore Him,
Virgin pure, behold Him lie
While His aged saints adore him
Ere in perfect faith they die.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Lo, the incarnate God Most High!
Jesus, by Your presentation,
When they blessed You, weak and poor,
Make us see Your great salvation,
Seal us with Your promise sure;
And present us in Your glory
To Your Father, cleansed and pure.
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Since there's only one text cited, there's not much to say about this one.  "God has now fulfilled His word" seems to come specifically from verse 29 ("according to your word"), and the "aged saints" mentioned in the second verse are Simeon and Anna.