James Montgomery

The Reign of Christ on Earth. -- Ps. lxxii.

Hail to the Lord's Anointed!

Great David's greater Son;

Hail in the time appointed,

His reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression,

To set the captive free;

To take away transgression,

And rule in equity.

He comes with succour speedy,

To those who suffer wrong;

To help the poor and needy,

And bid the weak be strong;

To give them songs for sighing,

Their darkness turn to light;

Whose souls, condemn'd and dying,

Were precious in His sight.

By such shall He be feared,

While sun and moon endure,

Beloved, obey'd, revered;

For He shall judge the poor,

Through changing generations,

With justice, mercy, truth,

While stars maintain their stations

Or moons renew their youth.

He shall come down like showers,

Upon the fruitful earth,

And love, joy, hope, like flowers,

Spring in His path to birth:

Before Him, on the mountains,

Shall Peace, the herald, go;

And Righteousness, in fountains,

From hill to valley flow.

Arabia's desert-ranger

To Him shall bow the knee,

The Ethiopian stranger

His glory come to see:

With offerings of devotion,

Ships from the Isles shall meet,

To pour the wealth of ocean

In tribute at His feet.

Kings shall fall down before Him,

And gold and incense bring,

All nations shall adore Him,

His praise all people sing:

For He shall have dominion

O'er river, sea, and shore,

Far as the eagle's pinion

Or dove's light wing can soar.

For Him shall prayer unceasing,

And daily vows ascend;

His kingdom still increasing,

A kingdom without end:

The mountain-dews shall nourish

A seed in weakness sown,

Whose fruit shall spread and flourish,

And shake like Lebanon.

O'er every foe victorious,

He on His throne shall rest,

From age to age more glorious,

All-blessing and all-blest;

The tide of time shall never

His covenant remove;

His Name shall stand for ever,

That Name to us is -- Love.