Hail to the Lord's Anointed, ELW 311
1 Hail to the Lord’s anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed, your reign on earth begun!
You come to break oppression, to set the captive free,
To take away transgressions and rule in equity.
2 You come with rescue 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 your sight.
3 You shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in your path to birth.
Before you on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go;
And righteousness in fountains from hill to valley flow.
4 Kings shall fall down before you, and gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore you, your praise all people sing.
To you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
Your kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
Devotion
Jesus announced to his hearers in the synagogue in Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach good news.” This familiar hymn’s opening phrase picks up that theme of anointing and purpose in Jesus’ ministry. Especially in its second verse, we note the promise of rescue for those who are wronged, of help for the poor and needy, of strength for the weak, of songs exchanged for sighing, of darkness turned to light, of life in the place of death. These words mirror closely the language of the prophet Isaiah, whose vision of good news Jesus announces has been fulfilled “today” in the hearing of the people.
Indeed in the face of such promises, it is fitting for us to imagine along with the hymn writer that the whole creation breaks out in a new epiphany of restoration and peace, and all nations fittingly bow down in worship and adoration as we sing the praises of Jesus our Lord and Savior, whose kingdom is indeed without end!
Prayer
O God, our Savior, we give thanks for your goodness and mercy which continues to overflow in your ways of justice and healing for all your creation. May we never cease to acknowledge you as our Lord and to sing your praises without end. Amen.