Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,
“ When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’” This passage tells us about the famous episode in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ when he came into Jerusalem and received a public praise from people of Jerusalem. This happened just a few days before his passion. This coming Sunday we will celebrate what is called “Palm Sunday” and we will sing a very traditional and familiar hymn, that was written to celebrate this glorious event, “All Glory, Laud and Honor.”

“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 author of this hymn was Theodulph of Orleans, a bishop that was born in Spain or Italy; historians are not sure about this. He was born around 750 AD. He moved to France as a church leader at Charlemagne’s request. Because of some political problems that he was not part of, authorities sent him to prison. During that time, he wrote this hymn, which originally had 78 verses. Let me share with you what Ellen Jane Lorenz said about how this hymn became very popular.

On Palm Sunday the King of France, Louis the Pious, was walking beneath the prison window, and was so delighted when he heard Theodulph singing the hymn that he ordered his release. Another version of the story is that Theodulph taught it to seven boys, who posted themselves along the road by which the king was to pass, and thus earned Theodulph’s release.

“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 praise and prayer and anthems
Before Thee we present.”

The melody is a German melody by Melchoir Teschner from the 17th century.

There are several hymns about Palm Sunday, but this is my favorite one, especially for the last stanza that we are familiar with. Please, this coming Sunday, sing with all your strength this hymn and praise our Lord Jesus who came in the name of the Lord.

“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 praise we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.”

“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9).
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In His service,
Israel