Lyrics
1 HAIL the day that sees him rise,
Ravished from our wishful eyes!
Christ, awhile to mortals given,
Reascends his native heaven.
2 There the pompous triumph waits:
"Lift your heads, eternal gates;
Wide unfold the radiant scene;
Take the King of glory in!"
3 Circled round with angel-powers,
Their triumphant Lord, and ours,
Conqueror over death and sin;
"Take the King of glory in!"
4 Him though highest heaven receives,
Still he loves the earth he leaves;
Though returning to his throne,
Still he calls mankind his own.
5 See, he lifts his hands above!
See, he shows the prints of love!
Hark, his gracious lips bestow
Blessings on his church below!
6 Still for us his death he pleads;
Prevalent he intercedes;
Near himself prepares our place,
Harbinger of human race.
7 Master, (will we ever say)
Taken from our head to day;
See thy faithful servants, see,
Ever gazing up to thee.
8 Grant, though parted from our sight,
High above yon azure height,
Grant our hearts may thither rise,
Following thee beyond the skies.
9 Ever upward let us move,
Wafted on the wings of love;
Looking when our Lord shall come,
Longing, gasping after home.
10 There we shall with thee remain,
Partners of thy endless reign;
There thy face unclouded see,
Find our heaven of heavens in thee.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise" celebrates Christ's ascension as a triumphant return to heaven. The opening stanza moves from the disciples' loss of sight to a vision of the King of glory entering the eternal gates. It thus joins the Ascension story with the royal imagery of Psalm 24, presenting the risen Christ as conqueror of death and sin.
The later verses pair majesty with tenderness. Christ is enthroned yet still loves his people, bears the marks of his suffering, and intercedes for the church. The himn then turns toward hope: the one who ascended will return, and his followers long to dwell with him. That movement from separation to communion gives the song its lasting Christian hope.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 24:7-10 The psalm calls for the gates to open before the King of glory.
- Acts 1:9-11 Jesus ascends from the disciples' sight, and the angels promise his return.
- Hebrews 7:25 Christ is described as liver and able to intercede for those who approach God.