| Giotto Triumphal Entry |
I wrote this hymn after reading John Gerhard's sermon on Matthew 21:1-9. Well, actually I also read one of my dad's sermons on Advent 1, but I could dedicate every hymn to him then...
I hoped to mingle the coming of Christ into Jerusalem (inseparable from the purpose of his first coming into the flesh) with his coming to Zion today.
The tune is "Wie Soll Ich Dich Empfangen," or whatever Rev's. Fish Jr. or Van der Hoek come up with, should they be so inclined in this busy Advent season.
1.What King now comes to save you, O Zion, Church of God? He is the Lord who gave you And wears your flesh and blood. No power and no glory Comes Jesus to display, But Zechariah's story Is seen fulfilled today: 2. Rejoice, O Zion's daughter, Behold, your King has come: The Lamb ordained for slaughter, The humble, righteous One; And having free salvation, He speaks eternal peace, And ruling every nation, His reign will never cease. 3. His crown and strength are hidden In sorrows that he feels; The throne to which he's bidden A cross of pain reveals. All innocent and holy, He bears our guilt within And thus he calls the lowly To find release from sin. 4. Has darkness come upon you? Are you in sin's control? This Light from Light has won you Forgiveness for your soul; Nor find Him in your effort, Nor seek Him in your will, His Gospel is your comfort That bids your sins be still. 5. He wields His Spirit's scepter With grace and mercy pure, His Word dispels the Tempter, And by it we endure, And wait in expectation For Christ to come again And bring us full salvation From sin and death and pain. 6. Let Zion sing Hosanna And lift her heart to Him, Whose body is her Manna, Whose blood absolves her sin; On earth she here rejoices To find her Lord and King, To whom, with heavn'ly voices, Her praises ever ring. | 
