CW 411 – Ride On, Ride On, In Majesty
“Ride On, Ride On, In Majesty” was written when Henry Hart Milman was 30 years old and shortly before he became professor of poetry at Oxford in 1821. The original tune for this hymn was called “Winchester New.” There is an interesting story of an updated tune by Graham George. In reply to an inquiry about the origin of the tune, George wrote: “It originated as the result of a choir practice before Palm Sunday in – I suppose – 1939, during which I had been thinking, “Winchester New” is a fine tune, but it has nothing whatever to do with the “tragic trumpets,” as one might theatrically call them, of Palm Sunday. At breakfast the following morning I was enjoying my toast and marmalade when the first two lines of this tune sang themselves unbidden in my mind. This seemed too good to miss, so I went to my study, allowed the half-tune to complete itself – which it did with very little trouble – and there it was.”
Verse one: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry. O Savior meek, pursue your road, with palms and scattered garments strowed.”
Jesus is not the kind of king you would expect. He is riding into the royal city of Jerusalem on a donkey. Though the crowds and tribes are crying “Hosanna,” waving palm branches and scattering garments, still Jesus appears meek and lowly.
Verse two: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, your triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin.”
Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was a paradox – two statements that seem contradictory. He entered with pomp, but it was lowly. He entered in triumph, but that triumph was in his death.
Verse three: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! The angel armies of the sky look down with sad and wond’ring eyes to see th’ approaching sacrifice.”
The angels are very involved in what is going on in this world. The angels were there for all the great events of Jesus’ life – his birth in Bethlehem, baptism in the Jordan River, temptations in the wilderness, prayer in Gethsemane, resurrection from the grave, and ascension into heaven. The angels know and see the glory of God face-to-face. But now they see an even greater glory in the Son of God going to his death. Yet, it is saddening to see Jesus having to die for his fallen creation.
Verse four: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! Your last and fiercest strife is nigh. The Father on his sapphire throne awaits his own anointed Son.”
Jesus’ last and fiercest strife is nigh. Jesus’ most difficult task is near. He is riding into the City to step in front of God’s wrath for mankind. He approaches God’s sapphire throne to face divine judgment for humanity’s sin. He goes to encounter God’s wrath … and then to turn God’s wrath into the Father’s grace.
Verse five: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. Bow your meek head to mortal pain, then take, O Christ, your power and reign.”
This last verse summarizes the entire hymn. This verse, like all the verses, makes clear that Jesus is riding on in majesty. Yet where is the majesty in this ride? Jesus is your King riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, crucified under Pontius Pilate on Good Friday, and risen from the dead on Easter morning. He bows his meek head to mortal pain as he is crowned with thorns upon his death. He raises his head to divine majesty as he is crowned with glory upon his resurrection. Christ ascends to his rightful place in heaven’s throne room as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Palm Sunday is about lowly pomp. It is Christ riding on in majesty.