What Does "Incense owns a Deity nigh" mean?

This line from the Christmas carol, We Three Kings, often stumps modern listeners.  What does it mean?

"Incense" (or frankincense) was a costly substance that created a fragrant smoke when burned. As the verse indicates, in this case it symbolizes our prayers rising to God.


The phrase, "a Deity nigh" refers to the Christ Child himself, who was "near" (nigh) from the perspective of the three Kings who had traveled to worship him and offer Him gifts.  Nigh is an old word for near.  And Deity means divine, or God.

"Owns" in this case probably does not mean the obvious fact that Jesus now "possessed" some incense since that was one of the gifts.  "Own" can mean to have the legal right to something.  Jesus is the one to Whom we pray. We rightfully give Him our prayers and praise. The kings gave him incense in recognition of this.

The smoke from smoldering incense symbolized the prayers of God's people rising to heaven. And those prayers rightfully belong to Jesus as God's Son. He has power to receive our prayers and answer as He sees fit in His love and wisdom.  He is the One who can hold our prayers and own the outcome.

So incense (a symbol for prayers) owns a deity neigh.

One can picture the scene with Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and the wise men, or Magi as they were called.

To paraphrase the line, "Incense--representing our prayers--belongs to this child before us, who is God in the flesh.

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshiping God on high.

 For more on Jesus, who he is and why he came to earth.


Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing. It's good to know.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks ! Was just searching for this

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