A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
A hymn of glory let us sing
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing is a hymn text by The Venerable Bede (735) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Benjamin Mascall. Found in CW21 472, CW93 171, ELH 389, elw 726. Sung to LAUDA ANIMA.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of Christ's exaltation and vindication, affirming His ascension as the culmination of His redemptive work and His present intercession for the Church. It celebrates the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal glory shared by all believers in Christ.
History & Background
Originally composed in Latin as 'Hymnum cantemus gloriae' by Bede in the 8th century, this hymn celebrates Christ's Ascension. Benjamin Mascall's English translation from 1887 became the standard version used in Lutheran and Anglican hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 472
- Christian Worship — 171
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 389
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 726
- Glory to God — 258
- The Hymnal 1982 — 218
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 157
- Lutheran Service Book — 493
- Lutheran Worship — 149
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 212
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by the Venerable Bede in 735, this Latin hymn celebrates Christ's ascension and the believer's heavenly seat in Him. A patristic treasure sung by the Western Church for nearly 1,300 years.
Preaching Connection
This Bede hymn proclaims the Gospel of Christ's victorious ascension and our union with Him in glory, offering the congregation a lyrical response to the promise that we are justified and glorified together in His exaltation.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From personal redemption and grateful praise, through God's consistent mercy toward His people, to His tender care and protection, culminating in the cosmic vision of angels and saints in eternal adoration
Background Research
'Hymnum canamus gloriae', attributed to the Venerable Bede (673-735), monk of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow and the great scholar of early England; an Ascension hymn that circulated widely in medieval Europe (oldest surviving copy mid-11th c.). English versions by Benjamin Webb (Hymnal Noted, 1852) and Elizabeth Rundle Charles (1858); modern texts blend the two. Often sung to LASST UNS ERFREUEN (1623). Source: Art & Theology blog.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Ascension (5×)
- Easter 7 (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Ascension (8×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
An Ascension hymn by the Venerable Bede, the English monk and historian. It narrates Acts 1:9-11 — Christ ascends by a new road (st. 1), the apostles watch on the Mount of Olives (st. 2), angels interpret the event and promise his return (st. 3-4) — then turns to prayer that our hearts follow him upward (st. 5), that he be our joy and defense (st. 6), with a Trinitarian doxology (st. 7).
Central theme: Christ's ascension to the throne, the promise of his return, and the church's hearts following him
Structure
Narrative (1-4) based on Acts 1; prayer (5-6); doxology (7).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel; prayer for perseverance.
Confessional Connections
AC III: Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, ruling all things. Lutheran teaching that the right hand of God is not a place but God's power, which is everywhere (FC VIII).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Ascension Day; Sunday after the Ascension.
Historical Notes
Bede (c. 673-735), monk of Jarrow and author of the 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People.' Webb (1819-1885) was a leader of the Ecclesiological Society.
About the Tune
LASST UNS ERFREUEN (Cologne, 1623) — the extended Alleluias give the hymn its jubilant character.
Scripture References
Acts 1:9-12 Luke 24:50-53 Eph 4:8-10 Heb 10:19-20 Col 3:1-2 Heb 11:6 Ps 47:5
Stanza by Stanza
Let us sing a hymn of glory; new songs shall ring through the world: Christ, by a road never traveled before, ascends to God's throne.
'New songs' (Ps 96:1; Rev 5:9) — the new work of God calls for new praise. 'By a road before untrod' — no human had ever gone this way: a man, in a human body, entering the presence of God as Lord. Christ opens a 'new and living way' (Heb 10:20). His ascension is not leaving his humanity behind but taking it to the throne (Heb 4:14). That is the ground of our hope to follow.
- Scripture
- Ps 96:1, Rev 5:9, Heb 10:19-20, Heb 4:14, Acts 1:9, Ps 47:5
- Imagery & language
- Untrodden road; throne.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — ascension.
- Connection to previous
- Opening announcement.
The apostles stand on the Mount of Olives with his followers and see Jesus' radiant majesty.
Acts 1:12 locates the ascension at the Mount of Olives. The apostles are eyewitnesses (Acts 1:3, 22) — the faith rests on testimony. 'Resplendent majesty' — the glorified Christ.
- Scripture
- Acts 1:3, 9-12, Luke 24:50-51, Zech 14:4
- Imagery & language
- Mountain; apostolic band; majesty.
- Law / Gospel
- Narrative.
- Connection to previous
- The witnesses.
Angels approach the apostles and ask why they stand gazing at the sky; this is the Savior, and this is his day of triumph.
Acts 1:10-11: two men in white ask, 'Why do you stand looking into heaven?' The question redirects the disciples from gazing to witnessing (Acts 1:8). 'His noble triumph-day' — the ascension is a royal victory procession (Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8).
- Scripture
- Acts 1:10-11, Acts 1:8, Ps 68:18, Eph 4:8
- Imagery & language
- Angels; gazing skyward; triumph.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — interpretation of the ascension.
- Connection to previous
- Angelic interpretation.
The angels promise: you will see him return in the same way you saw him go, rising gloriously to heaven's gates.
Acts 1:11: 'This Jesus… will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.' The ascension and the second coming are linked: visible, bodily, glorious (Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7). The church lives between the two.
- Scripture
- Acts 1:11, Matt 24:30, Rev 1:7, 1 Thess 4:16
- Imagery & language
- Return; portals of the sky.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — promise of return.
- Connection to previous
- Promise attached to the event.
A prayer that we may direct ourselves toward heaven and with unwearied hearts ascend to the throne where faith confesses Christ now sits.
Col 3:1-2: 'seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.' The ascension draws the believer's heart upward. 'As is our faith' — we do not see him now, but faith knows where he is (Heb 11:1; 1 Pet 1:8). 'Unwearied hearts' — perseverance.
- Scripture
- Col 3:1-2, Heb 11:1, 1 Pet 1:8, Heb 12:1-2
- Imagery & language
- Tending upward; throne.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel prayer — perseverance.
- Connection to previous
- Turns from narrative to prayer.
Christ is asked to be our joy, defense, and future reward, so that the light that comes from him may be ours forever.
The ascended Christ is present to defend his church (Matt 28:20; Eph 1:22). 'Future Recompense' — Christ himself is the reward (Gen 15:1; Rev 22:12). The light 'that springs from Thee' (Rev 21:23) becomes the believer's eternal possession.
- Scripture
- Matt 28:20, Eph 1:22, Gen 15:1, Rev 22:12, Rev 21:23
- Imagery & language
- Joy; defense; recompense; light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ our reward.
- Connection to previous
- Continues the prayer.
Praise to the risen and ascended Christ, who is one with the Father and the Spirit forever.
Doxology. Christ is addressed as 'risen' and 'ascended' — the two Easter-season events. His unity with the Father and Spirit through 'endless ages' affirms that the ascended man Jesus is eternal God.
- Scripture
- Phil 2:9-11, John 10:30, Matt 28:19
- Imagery & language
- Doxology.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Concluding doxology.
Themes
Ascension of Christ Heavenly glory Angels and saints Exaltation of Christ