All glory, laud, and honor
to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel
and David's royal Son,
now in the Lord's name coming,
the King and Blessed One.
The company of angels
is praising you on high;
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before you we present.
To you before your passion
they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
As you received their praises,
accept the prayers we bring,
for you delight in goodness,
O good and gracious King!
Psalter Hymnal, (Gray)
HYMN STORY
This hymn text was written by St. Theodulph of Orleans in 820 while he was imprisoned in Angers, France, for conspiring against the King, with whom he had fallen out of favor. The text acts as a retelling of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The medieval church actually re-enacted this story on Palm Sunday using a standard liturgy that featured this hymn. The priests and inhabitants of a city would process from the fields to the gate of the city, following a living representation of Jesus seated on a donkey. When they reached the city gates, a choir of children would sing the hymn, then in Latin: Gloria, laus et honor, and the refrain was taken up by the crowd. At this point the gates were opened and the crowd made its way through the streets to the cathedral. Though we might not have any city gates to proceed through today, this hymn still acts as a royal hymn of praise and proclamation. Today we praise the “Redeemer, King” because we know just what kind of King He was and is – an everlasting King who reigns not just in Jerusalem, but over the entire earth. What more could we do but praise Him with glory, laud, and honor.
All Glory Laud and Honor
All Glory Laud and Honor Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's rendition of "All Glory Laud and Honor" offers a powerful musical reflection on the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, a pivotal moment leading to Holy Week. This ancient hymn, with lyrics tracing back to St. Theodulph of Orleans in 820 AD, captures the essence of the historical event described in the Gospels. It vividly recounts how Jesus was met with shouts of "Hosanna" and welcomed as King by the crowds, including the "lips of children" whose praises are noted for their sweetness. The hymn declares Jesus as the true "King of Israel" and "David's royal Son," fulfilling ancient prophecies, and identifies Him as the "King and Blessed One" arriving in the name of the Lord.
The hymn expands the scene beyond the earthly procession, incorporating the heavenly dimension of worship. It speaks of the "company of angels" praising on high and calls upon "all creation" to join in a chorus of reply. This bridges the historical event with contemporary faith, asserting that the praise offered by the "people of the Hebrews" on that day is mirrored in the "praise and prayer and anthems" believers present today. The text emphasizes the continuity of worship, linking the past acclamations with the present-day adoration offered to Jesus, who is now "high exalted."
The third stanza directly addresses Christ, recalling that praises were sung to Him "before your passion" and affirming that "our melody we raise" now. It is a plea for acceptance, asking Jesus to receive the "prayers we bring" just as He received the praises long ago. This act of worship is grounded in the understanding that Jesus "delight[s] in goodness," underscoring His nature as a "good and gracious King." The hymn, in the context of the Triumphal Entry, highlights the initial recognition of Jesus' kingship by the crowds, a recognition that would soon face the challenge of His passion and ultimately lead to His exaltation.
This timeless text is brought to life by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, known for their dynamic and spirit-filled performances. Their vocal arrangements and musical direction amplify the declarative nature of the hymn, transforming it into a powerful anthem of worship suitable for the grandeur of the theme. The historical context, including the medieval practice of re-enacting the Palm Sunday procession with this hymn, enriches the understanding of its purpose as a communal declaration of faith and welcome for the King. While modern worship may not involve processing through city gates, the hymn continues to serve as a royal proclamation, acknowledging Jesus as the everlasting King reigning over all the earth. Released in this musical format, the song serves as an inspirational reminder of Jesus' entry as King and the ongoing call to offer Him glory, laud, and honor.
