1 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.
2 He comes with succor 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.
3 Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing;
Foe He shall have dominion
O'er river, sea and shore,
Far as the eagle's pinion
Or dove's light wing can soar.
4 He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth;
And love and joy 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.
5 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.
6 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!