All Glory, Laud and Honor

Today is Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the day that marked the beginning of the last week of His life before He was crucified. As He came into the city, He rode the colt, as was prophesied in Zechariah.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zech. 9:9

The people responded to Him as their King, preparing way for Him with their coats and waving tree branches in worship.

Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!" Matt.21:8-9

I’m sure that many in the crowd did not know what was to come in the next few days, and that by the end of the week, their King would be dead and buried. I’m sure they didn’t see that their King was riding on to die.

As this hymn says, the people sang their praises to the King before His passion, and like them, we raise our melody to praise that same King, the one whose triumphant entry into Jerusalem was just the beginning of the week.

And what a week it was: the events of that week would bring freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life for those who believe Jesus is the Christ and profess Him as Savior and Lord.

All Glory, Laud and Honor
Words by Theodulph of Orleans
Translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale

Refrain
All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s Name comest,
The King and Blessed One.

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on High,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.

Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.