Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 24:7
st. 2 = Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9
st. 3 = Eph. 2:6, Heb. 1:8, Ps. 68:18
Replete with biblical imagery and allusion, this text by Christopher Wordsworth (PHH 361) was published in his Holy Year (1862) in ten stanzas. John Julian considers "See, the Conqueror" to be one of Wordsworth's finest hymn texts.
The text views the ascending Lord being sung to by angels at heaven's gates (st. 1), recalls Christ's suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension (st. 2), and looks forward to our reign with Christ in glory (st. 3). The text emphasizes not only the event of the Ascension but also its meaning for us: in Christ's ascension, "we by faith can see” our own.
Liturgical Use:
Easter; Ascension; many other worship services.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988
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See the Conqueror mounts in triumph. Bishop C. Wordsworth, of Lincoln. [Ascension.] First published in his Holy Year, 1862, p. 99, in 10 stanzas of 4 double lines. In the latest editions of the Holy Year it has been divided into two parts, Pt. ii. beginning with st. vi. "Holy Ghost, Illuminator." Usually these two parts are given as separate hymns for congregational use. In addition a cento, beginning with stanza ii., "Who is this that comes in glory?" is given as a hymn. The original is one of Bishop Wordsworth's finest compositions, and is the nearest approach in style and treatment to a Greek Ode known to us in the English language. The amount of Holy Scripture compressed into these 40 lines is wonderful. Prophecy, Types, Historical Facts, Doctrinal Teaching, Extatic Praise, all are here; and the result is one grand rush of holy song.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Christopher Wordsworth--nephew of the great lake-poet, William Wordsworth--was born in 1807. He was educated at Winchester, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A., with high honours, in 1830; M.A. in 1833; D.D. in 1839. He was elected Fellow of his College in 1830, and public orator of the University in 1836; received Priest's Orders in 1835; head master of Harrow School in 1836; Canon of Westminster Abbey in 1844; Hulsean Lecturer at Cambridge in 1847-48; Vicar of Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berks, in 1850; Archdeacon of Westminster, in 1865; Bishop of Lincoln, in 1868. His writings are numerous, and some of them very valuable. Most of his works are in prose. His "Holy Year; or, Hymns for Sundays, Holidays, and other occ… Go to person page >
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