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Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels

Up through endless ranks of angels

Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels is a hymn text by Cyril Argentine Alington (1924) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in CW93 172, ch95 240, elw 234, lbw 159. Sung to HYFRYDOL.

The hymn celebrates Christ's victorious Ascension and His exaltation at God's right hand, emphasizing the cosmic significance of His return to heaven and His present intercession for believers. It reflects Lutheran affirmation of Christ's true humanity and divine honor, connecting His earthly ministry to His eternal heavenly reign.

History & Background

Written by Dean Cyril Alington in 1924, this hymn was composed to commemorate the Ascension of Christ and has become a standard hymn for Ascension celebrations in Lutheran worship. It first appeared in hymnals in the mid-twentieth century and gained wider adoption through LBW and LSB.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship — 172
  • Chalice Hymnal — 240
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 234
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 159
  • Lutheran Service Book — 491
  • Lutheran Worship — 152

Bulletin Note

Written by Cyril Argentine Alington in 1924, this hymn joins ancient liturgical tradition with modern poetic clarity, celebrating Christ's exaltation and His continuing intercession for all believers.

Preaching Connection

This hymn proclaims the Gospel of Christ's victorious Ascension as the ground of our assurance: because He pleads for us at God's right hand, the Law's condemnation no longer has dominion over the baptized.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological anticipation (St. 1-2) → Incarnational paradox (St. 3) → Pneumatological reign (St. 4)

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

LSB 491 (Hymn of the Day for the Ascension). Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919–2008), author of six hymns and translator of four more in LSB. Commissioned by Augsburg Publishing House in 1973. Vajda said he tried to gather the 'implications' of the Ascension for the first witnesses and for all who await Christ's return: the completed redemption, the disciples' new confidence, Christ's intercession before the Father (st. 2; 1 John 2:1; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25), his guidance and comfort by the Spirit through the Word (st. 3; John 14, 16), and longing for the resurrection (st. 4, a Trinitarian stanza LSB marks for standing). He was at first asked to change the opening word 'Up' to 'There' to avoid the 'three-tiered universe' picture; the LSB study notes the Bible itself uses such language, and 'Up' stayed.

Sources: LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (Allen D. Lunneberg).

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Ascension

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Ascension (7×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Ascension (8×)
  • Easter 7 (4×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Ascension of Christ Heavenly glory Resurrection triumph Christ's intercession

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