Jesus’ grand entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was glorious. Yet the entrance was for the purpose of heading to the cross on Friday morning and the tomb on Friday afternoon.
The hymn Ride On, Ride On in Majesty lifts up that celebratory joy while pointing with dread to what will happen by end of the week.
The last line points to even greater celebration to come: “Then take your power and reign” which foretells Jesus reigning on His throne forever, triumphant as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King.
King’s College, Cambridge
One version of the lyrics, for your celebration:
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hear all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, your road pursue,
with palms and scattered garments strewed.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
O Christ, your triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The hosts of angels in the sky
look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die,
bow your meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O Christ, your pow’r and reign!
Two more recordings:
St. Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich
Closing hymn, followed by recessional
St. John’s Detroit