Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna is a hymn text by Jennette Threlfall (1873) in 7.6.7.6 D meter. Found in bh08 237, ch95 192, elw 374, gtg 197.
The hymn theologically emphasizes the joy of Christ's messianic arrival and the participatory nature of salvation history through the innocent praise of children, reflecting Luke's Gospel account. Lutheran use of this hymn reinforces both the triumphal Christological claim of Christ's kingship and the eschatological hope of His ultimate return.
History & Background
Written by Jennette Threlfall, a British Methodist hymnist, in 1873 and first published in Hymns, Ancient and Modern Supplement that same year. The hymn was subsequently adopted into Lutheran hymnals where it became associated primarily with Palm Sunday observance.
Scripture References Like “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (375/376), this text is based on Christ’s triumphal entry on Palm Sunday. However, st. 1-3 = Matt. 21:1-17 Mark 11:1-10 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” focuses more on the children’s Luke 19:28-38 role in that event. The text was written by Jeannette Threlfall John 12:12-13 (b. Blackburn, Lancashire, England, 1821; d. Westminster, London, 1880) in an “idle moment” (as she says she wrote all of her hymns, all others of which have been forgotten). Undoubtedly, Threlfall had Mark 11 in mind when she wrote this text, but she also alludes to Jesus’ welcoming of the children in Mark 10:13-16. Stanzas 1 and 2 tell how the children shared in the songs during Christ’s procession into Jerusalem. Stanza 3 is our cue to participate in praising our Redeemer. Threlfall’s life was extremely difficult: she was orphaned at an early age, and two serious accidents caused her to be an invalid for life. But she bore her misfortune with grace and fortitude and maintained a ministry to many people who came in contact with her. Threlfall wrote devotional verse, which was published anonymously in various periodicals and later collected in Woodsorrel, or Leavesfrom a Retired Home (1856) and Sunshine and Shadow (1873), which included “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna.”
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 237
- Chalice Hymnal — 192
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 374
- Glory to God — 197
- Lutheran Service Book — 443
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 163
- Lutheran Worship — 106
- New Century Hymnal — 213
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 161
- United Methodist Hymnal — 278
- Voices Together — 197
Liturgical Use
Palm Sunday, in conjunction with the Palm Sunday gospel reading or the children’s message.
Bulletin Note
Written by English Quaker poet Jennette Threlfall in 1873, this hymn captures Luke's Gospel account of children praising Jesus at His entry to Jerusalem, offering the church a hymn of unadorned Gospel joy without legal condition or earning.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies pure Gospel proclamation: Christ's kingship and redemptive work demand no prior righteousness from us, only the response of grateful, childlike praise that flows from hearts freed by grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
A Palm Sunday hymn by Jeannette Threlfall, an English poet who wrote despite lifelong disability after an accident. It tells the story through the children: their hosannas ring through the Temple to the Jesus who had blessed them (st. 1); they follow from Olivet with palms as the Lord of men and angels rides in lowly state (st. 2); and the Church takes up their 'ancient song,' confessing Christ as Redeemer and King and praying to praise him with heart, life and voice forever (st. 3).
Central theme: Children's hosannas to the lowly King, taken up by the Church in praise of its Redeemer
Structure
Three eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6 D). Narrative (1-2), application (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel — the humble King who welcomes children and redeems us.
Confessional Connections
Christ's welcome of children grounds infant Baptism (Mark 10:14; AC IX). His 'lowly state' — the humiliation of the Lord of angels (FC VIII). Praise with 'heart and life and voice' — faith, works, confession.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Palm Sunday; children's services.
Historical Notes
Threlfall (1821-1880) published it in Sunshine and Shadow (1873).
About the Tune
ELLACOMBE (German melody, 18th c.; named for Ellacombe, Devon).
Scripture References
Matt 21:15-16 Ps 8:2 Mark 10:13-16 Matt 21:1-11 John 12:12-13 Zech 9:9 Phil 2:6-8 Ps 118:25-26 Rev 7:9-10 Ps 16:11
Stanza by Stanza
'Hosanna, loud hosanna,' the little children sang; the lovely anthem rang through the pillared courts of the Temple; to Jesus who had blessed them, holding them close, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
Matt 21:15: the children in the Temple cry 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Hosanna' means 'save, we pray' (Ps 118:25) — a prayer that became praise. Threlfall connects the scene to Mark 10:13-16, where Jesus blessed the children 'taking them in his arms.' The children's praise is 'the simplest and the best' because it is pure receiving and trust — 'whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it' (Mark 10:15). Lutherans see here the Lord's welcome of children, the basis for bringing infants to him in Baptism.
- Scripture
- Matt 21:15-16, Ps 118:25, Ps 8:2, Mark 10:13-16, Matt 18:3
- Imagery & language
- Temple courts; children folded to his breast.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ welcomes children.
- Connection to previous
- Opening scene.
From the Mount of Olives they followed amid an exultant crowd, waving palm branches of victory and chanting clearly; the Lord of men and angels rode on in humble state and did not scorn having little children wait on his command.
The procession from Olivet (Luke 19:37). Palm branches were symbols of victory (Rev 7:9); the crowd hailed a conqueror, but this King's victory would come by the cross. 'The Lord of men and angels rode on in lowly state' — the humiliation in a single line (Zech 9:9; Phil 2:6-8). He did not 'scorn' the children — the One whom angels serve accepts the service of little ones (Matt 18:10; 21:16).
- Scripture
- Luke 19:37, John 12:12-13, Rev 7:9, Zech 9:9, Phil 2:6-8, Matt 18:10
- Imagery & language
- Palm branches; lowly state.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the humble King.
- Connection to previous
- Continues the narrative.
'Hosanna in the highest!' — we sing that ancient song, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King. May we always praise him with heart, life and voice, and rejoice forever in his blessed presence.
The Church takes up 'that ancient song' — sung in every Communion liturgy in the Sanctus ('Hosanna in the highest; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'), as Christ comes to us in his Supper. The confession is clear: 'Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.' Praise with 'heart and life and voice' — faith in the heart, obedience in life, confession with the mouth (Rom 10:9-10). The goal is eternal joy in his presence (Ps 16:11).
- Scripture
- Matt 21:9, Rom 10:9-10, Rom 12:1, Ps 16:11, Rev 7:9-10
- Imagery & language
- Ancient song; heart, life, voice.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ our Redeemer and King.
- Connection to previous
- Applies the story to the Church.
Themes
Christ's triumphal entry Praise and worship Childlike faith and innocence Messianic hope Palm Sunday