Sung during the Sunday worship at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London (Spurgeon’s).
Hymn 72 version 2 (based on Psalm 72) from our hymn book, Psalms & Hymns of Reformed Worship.
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.
Anointed One, and Saviour!
He comes to those in need;
And mercy, peace and favour
Descend their souls to feed;
He gives them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turns 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.
For Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end;
The mountain dews shall nourish
A seed in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish,
Till time itself has run.
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 for ever,
That name to us is—Love!
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
Tune: Crüger
Composer: Johann Crüger (1598-1662)