April 20, 2005

Have faith in God –
Though troubled and distressed;
Have faith in God –
His way is always best;
Have faith in God –
And find in Him your rest.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

All Glory, Laud and Honor

Theodulph of Orleans, 760-821
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1818-1866

    The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!" John 12:12,13.

    Theodulph was born into the Italian nobility, but decided on a life of religious service. His first position was as abbot of a monastery in Firenze (Florence), Italy. In 781, Charlemagne appointed him Bishop of Orleans, France. However, this flourishing career came to an abrupt end with Charlemagne’s death. Louis the Pious suspected Theodulph of secret loyalty to political leaders in Italy, the country of his birth. These suspicions led to Theodulph’s imprisonment in Angiers in 818. His predicament is reminiscent of Paul’s incarceration in Rome. Like Paul, Theodulph’s faith sustained him inside cold stone walls. It was there he wrote All Glory, Laud and Honor, and there that he died.

Neale noted “anther verse was usually sung until the 17th Century, at the quaintness of which we can scarcely avoid a smile”:

Be Thou, O Lord, the Rider,
And we the little ass,
That to God’s holy city
Together we may pass.

All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s Name comest,
The King and Blessèd One.

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on High,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.

Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.

Chorus:
All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission