Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#414

414. See, the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph

1 See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph;
see the King in royal state,
riding on the clouds, his chariot,
to his heavenly palace gate.
Hark! the choirs of angel voices
joyful alleluias sing,
and the gates on high are opened
to receive their heavenly King.

2 He who on the cross did suffer,
he who from the grave arose,
he has vanquished sin and Satan,
he by death has spoiled his foes.
While he lifts his hands in blessing,
he is parted from his friends.
While their eager eyes behold him,
in the cloud the Lord ascends.

3 You have raised our human nature
on the clouds to God's right hand;
there we sit in heavenly places,
there with you in glory stand.
Jesus reigns, adored by angels;
man with God is on the throne!
Mighty Lord, in your ascension
we by faith can see our own.

Text Information

• First Line: See, the conqueror mounts in triumph
• Title: See, the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph
• Author: Christopher Wordsworth (1862, alt.)
• Meter: 87 87 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 24:7-10
  ;
  Psalm 66:18
  ;
  Acts 1:9
  ;
  Ephesians 2:6
  ;
  Hebrews 1:5-8
  ;
  Hebrews 5:4
  ;
  Acts 1
  ;
  Ephesians 2
  ;
  Hebrews 1:8
  ;
  Hebrews 5
• Topic: Ascension & Reign of Christ; King, God/Christ as; Assurance; Victory

Tune Information

• Name: REX GLORIAE
• Composer: Henry Smart (1868)
• Meter: 87 87 D
• Key: G Major

Text Information:

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

Tune Information:

Henry T. Smart (PHH 233) composed REX GLORIAE for this text; the hymn was published in the 1868 Appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modern. Stanley L. Osborne (PHH 395) suggests that Smart initially intended REX GLORIAE as a tune for children. Derived from the topic of Wordsworth's text, the tune's name means “King of Glory.”

A festive tune, REX GLORIAE is in rounded bar form (AABA). Sing in unison and use vigorous accompaniment bordering on marcato.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook