Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
Hail, thou once despised Jesus
Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus is a hymn text by John Bakewell (1757) in 8.7.8.7.8.7 meter. Found in ch95 215, elw 333, lsb 531, lw 284. Sung to IN BABILONE.
This hymn embodies Lutheran soteriology by celebrating Christ's victorious ascension and present intercessory work at the right hand of the Father, emphasizing both the redemptive work accomplished through suffering and its ongoing efficacy. It connects the passion narrative to Christ's exaltation and encourages confidence in His mediation before God.
History & Background
Written by John Bakewell, an English Independent minister, in 1757, this hymn focuses on Christ's exaltation following His passion and death. It has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century and appears in most major Lutheran songbooks.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 215
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 333
- Lutheran Service Book — 531
- Lutheran Worship — 284
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 367
- United Methodist Hymnal — 325
Bulletin Note
Written by John Bakewell in 1757, this hymn celebrates Christ's ascension and heavenly intercession, moving from His despised passion to His exalted triumph—a journey that assures believers of their redemption's permanence and efficacy.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Easter-to-Ascension arc of redemption: it transforms the Law's condemnation of Christ's suffering into the Gospel's proclamation of His exaltation and ongoing priestly work, making present the comfort of Christ's heavenly advocacy.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
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
Overview
An 18th-century English hymn, often attributed to the Methodist preacher John Bakewell and revised by Martin Madan (1760); TLH lists the author as unknown. It hails Christ in his humiliation and exaltation: the despised Galilean King who suffered to bring free salvation (st. 1); the Paschal Lamb who made full atonement and opened heaven (st. 2); the enthroned intercessor preparing our place (st. 3); and the One worthy of all praise, joined by angels (st. 4). It is a compact statement of Christ's offices as Prophet-King, Priest and Lamb.
Central theme: The despised and crucified Jesus, our Paschal Lamb, now enthroned and interceding for us
Structure
Four eight-line stanzas (8.7.8.7 D). Humiliation and salvation (1) — atonement (2) — exaltation and intercession (3) — worship (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: free salvation, full atonement, sins forgiven, heaven opened, intercession.
Confessional Connections
Christ's humiliation and exaltation (FC VIII). Universal atonement ('universal Savior'; FC XI). Full atonement by his blood (AC III). Christ's heavenly intercession (Ap XXI: Christ the only intercessor).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Ascension; Easter season; Christ the King; general praise.
Historical Notes
Attributed to John Bakewell (1721-1819) and revised by Martin Madan (1760); TLH does not name the author.
About the Tune
O DURCHBRECHER (Halle, 1704).
Scripture References
Isa 53:3 John 1:46 John 19:19 1 Tim 4:10 1 John 2:2 1 Cor 5:7 Isa 53:6 1 Pet 1:18-20 Eph 2:14-16 Heb 1:3 Rom 8:34 Heb 7:25 John 14:2-3 Col 3:4 Rev 4:11 Rev 5:12
Stanza by Stanza
Hail, once-despised Jesus! Hail, Galilean King! You suffered to set us free and brought free salvation. Hail, Savior of all, who bore our sin and shame, through whose merits we find favor! Life is given through your name.
'Despised and rejected' (Isa 53:3); the 'Galilean' — scorned origin (John 1:46; 7:52), yet 'King' (John 19:19). 'Free salvation' — sola gratia. 'Universal Savior' (1 Tim 4:10; 1 John 2:2). 'By whose merits we find favor' — Christ's merit is the ground of God's favor (AC IV). 'Life… through Thy name' (John 20:31).
- Scripture
- Isa 53:3, John 1:46, John 19:19, 1 Tim 4:10, 1 John 2:2, John 20:31
- Imagery & language
- Hail; despised King.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — free salvation through his merits.
- Connection to previous
- Humiliation.
Paschal Lamb appointed by God, all our sins were laid on you; anointed by almighty love, you have made full atonement. Every sin can be forgiven through the power of your blood; heaven's gate is open; peace is made between man and God.
'Christ, our Passover lamb' (1 Cor 5:7), 'appointed' before the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:20). 'All our sins on Thee were laid' (Isa 53:6). 'Full atonement' (AC III). 'Every sin may be forgiven' — no sin exceeds his blood (1 John 1:7). 'Open is the gate of heaven' — Te Deum: 'you opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.' 'Peace… 'twixt man and God' (Eph 2:14-16; Rom 5:1).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 5:7, 1 Pet 1:18-20, Isa 53:6, 1 John 1:7, Eph 2:14-16, Rom 5:1
- Imagery & language
- Paschal Lamb; open gate; peace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — full atonement.
- Connection to previous
- Atonement.
Hail, Jesus, enthroned in glory forever! All heaven's host adores you, seated at your Father's side. There you plead for sinners, there you prepare our place, always interceding for us until we appear in glory.
The session at the right hand (Heb 1:3). His heavenly work: 'pleading for sinners' (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1 John 2:1) and 'preparing our place' (John 14:2-3). 'Till in glory we appear' (Col 3:4). Christ is the only Mediator and Intercessor (Ap XXI) — there is no need of saints' intercession.
- Scripture
- Heb 1:3, Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25, 1 John 2:1, John 14:2-3, Col 3:4
- Imagery & language
- Throne; pleading; preparing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's intercession.
- Connection to previous
- Exaltation.
You are worthy to receive worship, honor, power and blessing; it is right for us to give the loudest praise without ceasing. Help, bright angels, bring your sweetest songs; help us sing our Savior's merits and Immanuel's praise.
Rev 4:11; 5:12. The congregation invites the angels to help — the Church joins the heavenly liturgy. 'Our Savior's merits' — praise centers on what Christ has done. 'Immanuel' — God with us.
- Scripture
- Rev 4:11, Rev 5:11-13, Ps 103:20, Matt 1:23
- Imagery & language
- Doxology; angels.
- Law / Gospel
- Praise.
- Connection to previous
- Worship.
Themes
Exaltation of Christ Redemption through suffering Ascension and heavenly intercession Adoration of the risen Christ