Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand

Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand is a hymn text by Henry Alford (1867) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in ELH 557, elw 726, lbw 765, lsb 670. Sung to ALFORD.

This hymn reflects Lutheran eschatology by depicting the church triumphant united in eternal praise before God's throne, emphasizing the communion of saints and the final fulfillment of redemption. The text anchors heavenly hope in scriptural revelation while maintaining focus on Christ's redemptive work as the foundation of eternal worship.

History & Background

Written by Henry Alford in 1867, this hymn was first published in his hymnal "Year of Praise." It became one of the most popular English hymns of heavenly worship and eschatological hope in the Victorian era.

Henry Alford was Dean of Canterbury Cathedral Scripture References when he wrote this text. Designating it for the twenty-first Sunday st. 1 = Rev. 5:6-14 after Trinity, he published the three-stanza text in the magazine Dan. 7:9-10 Good Words in March 1867 and later that same year in his Year of Praise. A fourth stanza was added when the hymn was reprinted in The Lord ’s Prayer Illustrated, prepared by Pickersgill and Alford in 1870. The Psalter Hymnal includes the revised, three-stanza version found in Hymns for Today’s Church (1982). 794 THE NEW CREATION A noted New Testament scholar, Alford drew his imagery for this text about the church triumphant from John’s Revelation. Stanza 1 portrays the “ten thousand times ten thousand” angels who praise the victorious Lamb upon the throne and who are then joined by the “countless voices” of all creatures praising God (see Rev. 5:11-13). The second stanza is an exclamation ofjoy and comforting anticipation of the final victory of God’s saints. Stanza 3 is a “Maranatha” prayer, which urges Christ to come quickly and usher in the consummation of his glorious kingdom (“Desire of Nations” is an Old Testament name for the Messiah; see Hag. 2:7).

Hymnal Appearances

• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 557
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 726
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 765
• Lutheran Service Book — 670
• Lutheran Worship — 331
• Psalter Hymnal — 619
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 476

Liturgical Use

Advent; with eschatological preaching; other occasions of worship when a “Maranatha” hymn is appropriate.

Bulletin Note

Composed in 1867 by English hymn writer and theologian Henry Alford. This hymn draws vivid scriptural imagery of Revelation's heavenly throne room, uniting earth's worship with the eternal praise of the church triumphant.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes Luther's eschatology: sinners redeemed by grace alone stand justified before God's throne, transforming Law's verdict into Gospel's endless song.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
• Of Justification Augsburg Confession

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Eschatological vision of redeemed multitude → heavenly worship → resurrection communion → divine protection and Satan's defeat

Overview

Henry Alford's hymn of the Church triumphant, sung at his own funeral (1871). The ransomed armies throng up the steeps of light — 'Tis finished' — open the gates (st. 1); alleluias and harps; the day for which creation was made, repaying all woes a thousandfold (st. 2); reunion on Canaan's shore, no more orphans or widows (st. 3); 'Bring near Thy great salvation, / Thou Lamb for sinners slain… Thou Prince and Savior, come!' (st. 4).

Central theme: The victory of the ransomed saints and the longing for Christ's return to complete it

Structure

Four eight-line stanzas (7.6.8.6 D). Entry (1) — rejoicing (2) — reunion (3) — 'come!' (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: 'ransomed saints'; ''Tis finished'; 'Lamb for sinners slain'; reunion and repayment. Law implied in former woes, tears.

Confessional Connections

Rev 7:17 (TLH's text): 'the Lamb… will be their shepherd… and God will wipe away every tear.' The saints are 'ransomed' (st. 1) and enter because of the Lamb 'for sinners slain' (st. 4) — not their merit. ''Tis finished' joins Christ's cry (John 19:30) with the saints' completed fight. St. 3: reunion with believers (1 Thess 4:13-18) — a Lutheran funeral comfort, while the hymn's center remains Christ. St. 4: 'Fill up the roll of Thine elect' (FC XI; Rev 6:11) and the Church's cry 'Come, Lord Jesus' (AC XVII).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

All Saints; funerals; Last Sundays; Advent (st. 4).

Historical Notes

Alford (1810-1871), Dean of Canterbury and New Testament scholar; published 1867; sung at his funeral.

About the Tune

ALFORD (John B. Dykes, 1875).

Scripture References

Rev 7:17 Rev 5:11 Dan 7:10 Rev 7:9-14 John 19:30 Ps 24:7 Rev 19:1-6 Rom 8:18-21 1 Thess 4:13-18 Rev 21:4 Ps 68:5 Rev 13:8 Hag 2:7 Matt 24:30 Rev 22:20

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

heavenly worship multitude of saints divine glory eternal praise communion of saints

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "ALFORD" ↗