See the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph
See the Conqueror mounts in triumph
The hymn celebrates Christ's bodily ascension as the culmination of redemption and exaltation, emphasizing His ongoing intercessory work at the Father's right hand. Lutheran theology here affirms both Christ's human nature elevated to glory and His continued advocacy for believers.
History & Background
Written by Christopher Wordsworth in 1862 for Ascension Day observance, this hymn was first published in his collection of liturgical poetry. It has remained a standard English Ascension hymn in Lutheran hymnals since its composition.
Scripture References Replete with biblical imagery and allusion, this text by st.l=Ps. 24:7 Christopher Wordsworth was published in his Holy st. 2 = Luke 24:50-51 Year (1862) in ten stanzas. John Julian considers “See, the Acts 1:9 Conqueror” to be one of Wordsworth’s finest hymn texts. st. 3 = Eph. 2:6 The text views the ascending Lord being sung to by angels at Heb. 1:8 heaven’s gates (st. 1), recalls Christ’s suffering, death, resurrec Ps. 68:18 tion, and ascension (st. 2), and looks forward to our reign with Christ in glory (st. 3). The text emphasizes not only the event of the Ascension but also its meaning for us: in Christ’s ascension, “we by faith can see our own.”
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 442
- The Hymnal 1982 — 215
- Lutheran Service Book — 494
- Lutheran Worship — 118
- Psalter Hymnal — 414
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 218
Liturgical Use
Pentecost (entire hymn); other times of the church year—stanzas 1 and 3 as a sung prayer for illumination or as response to the sermon, stanza 3b as a doxology. 575
Bulletin Note
Wordsworth's 1862 hymn celebrates Christ's bodily ascension as the culmination of redemption, emphasizing His ongoing priestly intercession. A vital Lutheran affirmation: His human nature, now glorified, mediates for sinners.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's proclamation of Christ's ascended intercessory work transforms the hearer's experience of justification—the Law's accusation finds answer not in our works but in the perpetual advocacy of the exalted Christ at God's right hand.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Creation's joy → Cosmic praise → Divine love binding all → Victorious Christian march
Themes
Ascension Christ's triumph Heavenly exaltation Intercessory ministry