Riding On.

Each Sunday since Ash Wednesday, I’ve been posting a hymn for the Lenten season. In my search for these various songs, I’ve found most of them to be sad and mournful, which I guess is a bit of what Lent is all about. Today, however, Palm Sunday, the mood and the hymns we sing are much more upbeat. We’ve spent the last five weeks reflecting on the life and death of Jesus, but today we welcome Him home.

 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:8-9, NIV)

"Ride On, Ride On in Majesty!" was written in 1820 by Henry Hart Milman, a priest and professor of poetry at Oxford University. It's the song I always think of on Palm Sunday in my church. 

1. Ride on, ride on, in majesty!

Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry.

0 Savior meek, pursue Thy road,

With palms and scattered garments strowed.

2. Ride on, ride on, in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die.

0 Christ, Thy triumphs now begin

O'er captive death and conquered sin.

3. Ride on, ride on, in majesty!

The angel armies of the sky

Look down with sad and wondering eyes

To see the approaching Sacrifice.

4. Ride on, ride on, in majesty!

Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;

The Father on His sapphire throne

Expects His own anointed Son.

5. Ride on, ride on, in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die.

Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain.

Then take, 0 Christ, Thy power and reign.

Judson Tower at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI.