Antiphona 5

From Psalm 71:17, this antiphon blesses Christ's eternal Name: 'Sit nomen ejus benedictum in saecula' (his name shall be blessed forever). The phrase 'ante solem permanet nomen ejus' (his name continueth before the sun) indicates pre-existence: Christ's Name precedes creation itself. The sun, symbol of permanence to ancient peoples, is younger than the eternal Word. This antiphon completes the Lauds series by moving from Christ's kingdom to His Name - the divine identity that grounds His authority. To bless Christ's Name is to acknowledge His divinity, for only God's Name is 'ante solem.'