Hail O Once Despised Jesus
Hail, Thou once despised Jesus
This hymn reflects the Lutheran understanding of Christ's two states—humiliation and exaltation—central to Christological doctrine. It emphasizes the vindication of the despised and rejected Jesus as enthroned Lord, connecting His earthly rejection to His heavenly glory and the joy of redeemed creation.
History & Background
Written by John Bakewell in 1757, this hymn celebrates Christ's exaltation following His rejection and humiliation. It has been widely used in English-speaking Protestant worship, particularly emphasizing the Easter-Ascension themes.
The original two-stanza version of this text, now attributed to John Scripture References Bakewell (b. Brailsford, Derbyshire, England, 1721; d. Lewisham, st. 1 = Isa. 53:3-5 England, 1819), was published anonymously in the 1757 London st. 2 = Rom. 5:11 st. 3= Acts 5:31 pamphlet A Collection ofHymns Addressed to the Holy, Holy, Triune Rom. 8:34 God. Bakewell was a lay evangelist and itinerant preacher in the Heb. 7:25 Methodist tradition. He was personally acquainted with John and st. 4 = Rev. 4:11 Charles Wesley as well as with Augustus Toplady Rev. 5:12 . Although he wrote several hymns and other devo tional poetry, only “Hail, Thou Once-Despisedjesus” remains in common use. Martin Madan altered and extended the text for his Collection ofPsalms and Hymns (1760); later hymnal editors further altered the text. The present version is derived from the modernized text in Hymns for Today’s Church (1982). Described by Austin Lovelace as “rhymed theology,” the text moves from Christ’s suffering and death (st. 1-2) to his exaltation at the Father’s right hand (st. 3-4); from our redemption and forgiveness (st. 1-2) to Christ’s intercession for us (st. 3). Finally, we join in a cosmic praise of the Savior (st. 4). 553 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS Time ARFON is originally a six-phrase Welsh folk tune in minor tonality entitled ‘Tros y Garreg.” Named for a district on the mainland of northern Wales opposite Mon and Anglesey the tune was published in Edward Jones’s Relicks of the Welsh Bards (1784). In the later nineteenth century ARFON was associated in France with the Christmas texts “Un nouveaux present des cieux” and ‘Joseph est bien marie.” The tune is a rounded bar form (AABA), set here in major tonality. The harmoniza tion, prepared by Stanley L. Osborne (b. Clarke Township, ON, Canada, 1907) in 1970, was published in the Hymn Book (1971), which was published by two Canadian denomi nations, the Anglican Church and the United Church. Osborne intended his harmo nization first of all for a recorder ensemble and only secondarily for organ or voices. Use a clean, light accompaniment for stanzas 1 and 2 and a broader treatment for stanzas 3 and 4. Sing the middle stanzas in parts. Use trumpet accompaniment for stanza 4. Osborne’s interest in both pastoral work and church music is reflected in his education and career. Educated in music at Victoria University, Toronto, and in theology at Emmanuel College, Toronto, he received a Mus.D. from the University o
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 324
- Lutheran Service Book — 531
- Lutheran Worship — 284
- Psalter Hymnal — 395
- Trinity Hymnal — 230
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 367
Liturgical Use
Lent; Holy Week; Easter; Ascension; as a processional hymn for the beginning of worship services.
Bulletin Note
Written by John Bakewell in 1757, this hymn paints Christ's humiliation and exaltation in vivid contrast, reflecting classical Lutheran theology of Christ's vindication and the believer's participation in His ascended glory.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies Luther's Christology of the two states: the Law condemns Christ to the cross; the Gospel raises Him to the throne and seats believers with Him in heavenly places.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law reveals human sin and unworthiness; Gospel proclaims God's mercy that infinitely exceeds transgression; Response calls believers to faithful trust and grateful living
Themes
Exaltation of Christ Resurrection and Ascension Heavenly worship Christ's rejection and vindication