Lo Many Shall Come from the East and the West
Lo many shall come from the east and the west
The hymn celebrates the universality of God's redemptive plan, emphasizing that salvation extends beyond ethnic and geographic boundaries to all peoples. It reflects Lutheran confidence in God's saving will toward all nations while acknowledging the reality of rejection by some.
History & Background
Written by Matthew Bridges in 1848, this hymn was first published in his collection of hymns and reflects 19th-century Anglican hymn writing. The text draws directly from Christ's words in Matthew 8:11 regarding the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 651
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 313
- Lutheran Service Book — 510
- Lutheran Worship — 464
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 415
Bulletin Note
Matthew Bridges (1800–1894) wrote this Epiphany hymn in 1848. Set to the Scottish tune ST. COLUMBA, it echoes Luke 13:29, expanding the vision of redemption to embrace all nations and cultures—a hallmark of 19th-century evangelical confidence in God's universal salvific will.
Preaching Connection
This hymn develops the Gospel's radical inclusivity while maintaining the Law's warning—ideal for sermons on election, universality of grace, or the missionary expansion of God's kingdom.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Psalm 23 Christological transformation: establishment of Christ's sovereign care (1-2) → confession of human waywardness and divine retrieval (3) → victory over death through Christ's passion (4) → sacramental communion and eschatological promise (5-6)
Themes
Universal salvation The Gentiles received into the kingdom Eschatology and final judgment God's inclusive grace