Prepare the Royal Highway

Representative Text

1 Prepare the royal highway,
the King of kings is near;
let every hill and valley
a level road appear.
Then greet the king of glory
foretold in sacred story:

Refrain:
O blest is he that came
in God the Father's name!

2 God’s people, see him coming:
your own eternal king!
Palm branches strew before him;
spread garments; shout and sing.
God’s promise will not fail you;
no more shall doubt assail you: [Refrain]

3 Then fling the gates wide open
to greet your promised king;
your king, yet every nation
its tribute too should bring.
All lands, bow down before him;
all voices, thus adore him: [Refrain]

4 His is no earthly kingdom;
it comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding
for kindness so abounding: [Refrain]


Source: Together in Song: Australian hymn book II #346

Author: Frans Mikael Franzen

Franzén, Franz Michael, was born at Uleabôrg, Finland, in 1772, and educated at the University of Abo, where he became Librarian and Professor of Literary History. He was subsequently Minister at Kumla, Orebro, Sweden, and then of Santa Clara, in Stockholm. He was consecrated Bishop of Hernosand, in 1841, and died there in 1847. (See Supplement to Longfellow's Poets and Poetry of Europe.) Of his pieces one is in English common use. It begins "Jesum haf i ständigt minne," translated by Mrs. Charles in her Christian Life in Song, 1858, p. 250, as "Jesus in Thy memory keep" (Looking unto Jesus). Usually it begins with stanza ii., "Look to Jesus, till, reviving." --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)  Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Prepare the royal highway
Title: Prepare the Royal Highway
Author: Frans Mikael Franzen
Meter: 7.6.7.6.7.7.6.6
Source: Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (tr.)
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Hosanna to the Lord
Copyright: Tr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 9 of 9)

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #95

Christian Worship (2008) #702

Christian Worship #302

Audio

Evangelical Lutheran Worship #264

Lutheran Service Book #343

Lutheran Worship #27

Moravian Book of Worship #344

Text

Together in Song #346

Worship Supplement 2000 #701

Include 1 pre-1979 instance
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