“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” is an Advent hymn by James
Montgomery (1771 – 1854). It is his interpretation
of Psalm 72. In The United Methodist
Hymnal and other places, it is set to the tune “Ellacombe.” The tune is anonymously credited and dates to
1784 where it first appeared in a chapel hymnal for the Duke of Würtemberg. I first knew the tune as the music for “Hosanna,
Loud Hosanna” which is frequently employed on Palm Sunday.
The hymn text for “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” is:
Hail to the Lord's anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His
reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to
set the captive free,
To take away transgression, and
rule in equity.
Hail to the Lord's anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His
reign on earth begun!
He comes in succor speedy to
those who suffer wrong,
To help the poor and needy, and
bid the weak be strong.
To give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and
dying, are precious in His sight.
Hail to the Lord's anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His
reign on earth begun!
He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth,
Love, joy, and hope, like
flowers, spring in His path to birth.
Hail to the Lord's anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His
reign on earth begun!
The tide of time shall never His
covenant remove.
His Name shall stand forever,
That Name to us is Love.
Hail to the Lord's anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His
reign on earth begun!
It is a truly joyful hymn-text that incorporates several
Advent themes marvelously. The list
includes the Messiah as standing in the Davidic line, the glorious reign of the
one who is to come, release to the captives, forgiveness of sins, comfort, care
for the poor, the image of light, encouragement and the eternal sovereignty of
the Lord’s Christ.
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