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A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! ~ Hymn 258

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: September 8, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:30

Jesus and the disciples had shared the Passover meal in the Upper Room followed by a special meal Jesus instituted be shared among His followers. Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn. We do not know the title of the hymn and we can only imagine its tone. With Jesus knowing what was awaiting Him, we may imagine that it would have been a somber and reflective hymn. It might have been one expressing faith and trust in God.

A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! first speaks of Jesus walking the path leading to the throne of God. In stanza 2 it speaks of the apostles convening on the Mount of Olives before Jesus’ arrest. In stanza 3, it speaks of the disciples and followers of Christ watching as He ascends to heaven. In stanza 4, the disciples still staring up into the sky, are informed that Jesus will return in great majesty. In stanza 5, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is praised forevermore.

According to the Glory to God commentator,

These stanzas have been crafted from various English translations of a much longer Latin hymn preserved in an 11th century manuscript in the British Museum. This hymn is well set to a 15th century English tune commemorating a military victory.

There is a stateliness about this hymn.

This tune is also the setting for Hymn 189, O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair and Hymn 618, O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High.

Prayer

O Lord, we thank You for hymns whose words and music transport us to times and places in Jesus’ earthly life. We thank You that “we can be there” and that we can imagine the glory and splendor of the Kingdom of God. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.