"Hail to the Lord's Anointed"

This was our processional hymn today, sung to a wonderful German folk song melody that was unfamiliar to me. Trying my best to belt out the lively alto part, meditating upon the words, thinking of loved ones who are not yet part of The Fold, rejoicing that our son is continuing to heal from his injuries, thankful that we sing real hymns every Sunday...it was all enough to make me cry.

To hear the melody we sang, go here, and click on the MIDI link for the traditional Woodbird German melody. If you don't have time to read all five verses, it's useful to read and meditate upon even one verse, the words are so rich.

"Hail to the Lord's Anointed"

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.

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, were precious in His sight.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in His path to birth.
Before Him, on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
And righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

Kings shall fall down before Him, and gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing;
For He shall have dominion o’er river, sea and shore,
Far as the eagle’s pinion or dove’s light wing can soar.

O’er every foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest;
From age to age more glorious, all blessing and all blest.
The tide of time shall never His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand forever, His Name to us is Love.