Prepare the Royal Highway
Prepare the royal highway
The hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of repentance and preparation as the proper human response to divine grace in Christ's coming. It emphasizes the role of John the Baptist and the call to spiritual preparation that characterizes the Advent season in Christian worship.
History & Background
Written by Swedish bishop Frans Mikael Franzén in 1824 as an Advent hymn based on Isaiah 40:3. It was first translated into English by Arthur T. Russell in 1860 and has been a standard Advent hymn in Lutheran hymnals since its inclusion in the Common Service Book.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 264
- Glory to God — 106
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 26
- Lutheran Service Book — 343
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 68
- Lutheran Worship — 27
- Voices Together — 166
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Finnish-Swedish pastor Frans Mikael Franzén in 1824, this hymn draws on John the Baptist's ministry to call believers to Advent repentance as the proper human response to God's coming grace in Christ.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Advent proclamation of Law and Gospel: the Law's demand for repentance and heart-preparation meets the Gospel's promise that Christ himself accomplishes what our efforts alone cannot.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: repentance and removal of spiritual obstacles (stanzas 1-2) leading to joyful preparation and divine transformation (stanzas 3-4)
Themes
Preparation for Christ Repentance John the Baptist Coming of the Kingdom Spiritual readiness