Hail to the Lord's Anointed
Hail to the Lord's Anointed, Great David's greater Son!
The hymn interprets Psalm 72's royal messianism as fulfilled in Christ, emphasizing his justice, mercy, and universal reign over all nations. It expresses Lutheran hope in Christ's ultimate restoration of creation and vindication of the oppressed through divine governance.
History & Background
James Montgomery, a prolific English hymnodist and social reformer, wrote this text in 1821 as a paraphrase of Psalm 72, applying the royal psalm's themes to Christ. It was first published in Montgomery's hymnal collections and has become a standard Christmas and Advent hymn in English-speaking churches.
Scripture References Psalm 72 is a prayer for blessing upon God’s anointed king, st. 1 = w. 1-4 probably intended for use in a liturgy for coronation. Later Jewish traditions and the early church saw in it a description of Messiah’s st. 2 = w. 5-8 righteous reign. The psalm expresses the people’s desire that God st. 3 = w. 9-11 so endow the king that righteousness and justice will characterize st. 4 = w. 12-14 his reign (v. 1). This king will be worthy of high praise, for he will st. 5 = w. 15-16 defend the poor and crush the oppressor (st. 1); his reign of st. 6 = w. 17-19 204 PSALMS refreshing peace and blessing will extend “over every nation” (st. 2). All nations will submit to him and bring him tribute (st. 3). He will rescue the poor, oppressed, and needy, for they are “precious in his sight” (st. 4). Prayers for the longevity and prosperity of his kingdom and praise for him will never cease (st. 5). His name will endure forever, as will his blessings among all nations, invoking eternal praise of the God whose glory fills creation (st. 6; see also Ps. 101). James Montgomery (b. Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, 1771; d. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 1854) wrote this text for Christmas 1821 as an ode based on Psalm 72. It was first published in its entirety (eight stanzas) in 1822 in Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, and later that year Montgomery also published it in his Songs of Zion. Montgomery’s original paraphrase contains explicit Christian messianic overtones; Bert Polman’s 1985 revision brings the versification closer to the biblical text. Other partial settings of Psalm 72 are at 359,412, 541, and 630. The son of Moravian parents who died on a West Indies mission field while he was in boarding school, Montgomery inherited a strong religious bent, a passion for missions, and an independent mind. He was editor of the Sheffield Iris (1796-1827), a newspaper that sometimes espoused radical causes. Montgomery was imprisoned briefly when he printed a song that celebrated the fall of the Bastille and again when he described a riot in Sheffield that reflected unfavorably on a military commander. He also protested against slavery, the lot of boy chimney sweeps, and lotteries. Associated with Christians of various persuasions, Montgomery supported missions and the British Bible Society. He published eleven volumes of poetry, mainly his own, and at least four hundred hymns. Some critics judge his hymn texts to be equal in quality to those of Isaac Watts
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 140
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 259
- Glory to God — 89
- The Hymnal 1982 — 616
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 87
- Lutheran Service Book — 398
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 72
- Lutheran Worship — 82
- New Century Hymnal — 104
- Psalter Hymnal — 72
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 59
- United Methodist Hymnal — 203
- Voices Together — 184
Liturgical Use
Advent; Epiphany; Ascension celebrations; also suitable as a missionary song.
Bulletin Note
Written by James Montgomery in 1821, this hymn reinterprets the messianic promises of Psalm 72 through Christ's person and work, making ancient royal theology a living hope for justice and redemption.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms Psalm 72's royal vision into christological confession, allowing the congregation to voice their conviction that Christ's justice condemns wickedness while his mercy extends to the suffering and marginalized.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's advent and universal reign: from his anointed coming through his subduing of evil, merciful renewal of creation, establishment of peace and justice, to the eternal kingdom worshipped by all nations
Themes
Messianic hope Christ's kingship Divine justice and mercy Salvation history Restoration and reign