“How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O queenly maiden.”
Many verses in the Old Testament were interpreted (in allegorical fashion) by the early church fathers as referring to Mary, the virgin mother of the Lord. This might have been one of them. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan in the late fourth century, was known for his allegorical interpretation of Old Testament passages, but he was also known for his hymns. This one dates from 397 AD:
Savior Of The Nations, Come!
Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in heaven enthroned.
From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!
Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?
Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
