By: Kathleen Barnes
“See, the conqu’ring hero comes! Sound the trumpets! Beat the drums!” These are the words to Handel’s original tune of Judas Maccabeus, and while not in reference to the events of Palm Sunday, they prepare the mind for the more familiar hymn text of Thine Be the Glory. As we reflect on the events of Easter, we are urged to remember whom we worship, and this powerful hymn is an excellent way of doing so.
As mentioned above, the tune for this hymn was originally written by G.F. Handel in 1746 as part of an oratorio on a leader of the Maccabean Revolt. While the piece was not written for congregational singing, the colloquial English text and scriptural themes throughout were demonstrative of Handel’s new faith. Roughly 150 years later, a Swiss minister named Edmond Budry used the tune and wrote a new hymn setting and text for his congregation. This Swiss version was published in 1904 but was not widespread until Richard Hoyle, an English pastor, carefully translated the text and brought it to the Jerusalem Conference in 1928. Since then, “Thine Be the Glory” has become a beloved hymn throughout the world, especially for Resurrection Sunday.
Looking at the text, this is no surprise. Verse one proclaims the power of the Resurrection and the eternal victory that has been won. We praise our God because of what He has done. As Paul declares,
“‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54b-57, citing Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14)
The second verse reminds us of the testimony we have of this triumph and the tremendous love that is shown. “Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb.” How are we to respond? The last verse answers with conviction: “No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life!” Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are able to face the remainder of this life and look forward to the eternal life to come.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,
and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and
death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the
former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
Finally, the refrain and hymn title point us to our challenge as disciples and followers of Christ. The purpose behind every aspect of our worship on Easter morning is for the glory of our “conquering hero,” our Lord. It may be easy to slip into distraction or even resentment over personal disagreements and human endeavors, but our Savior is deserving of glory and praise! As we grow in worshipping together this season, let us boldly proclaim, “Thine be the glory!”
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you,
for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5-7)
Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
endless is the vict’ry Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where Thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
endless is the vict’ry Thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb.
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let His church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting. [Refrain]
No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life!
Life is nought without Thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conqu’rors, through Thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above. [Refrain]