Introduction
This little hymn is one of the centrepieces of the Evening Service, also known a little misleadingly as the All-Night Vigil, of the Eastern Churches. The translation below comes from the Yattendon Hymnal, a collection of verses by poet Robert Bridges.
Phos Ilaron
O O GLADSOME* light, grace
Of God the Father’s face,
The eternal splendour wearing;
Celestial, holy, blest,
Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Joyful in thine appearing.*
Now, ere day fadeth quite,
We see the evening light,
Our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
Thee, his incarnate Son,
And Holy Spirit adoring.
To thee of right belongs
All praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, Lifegiver;
Thee, therefore, O Most High,
The world doth glorify,
And shall exalt for ever.*
The underlying Greek word ilaron implies not only full of joy and cheer, but spreading joy and cheer to others. This has proved very difficult for translators over the years, with variants such as peaceful, joyful, cheerful (a word the King James Bible uses) and gladdening all commonly employed. Gladsome, though unusual today, goes back at least to the 14th century. Joyous might be another candidate, but gladsome is more of an evening word.
See Wisdom 7:24-30, Hebrews 1:1-4.
See Psalm 50:23.
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