Sing the Ascension

We believe what we sing, so it’s important to sing the most important doctrines of our faith. But I don’t think we give Jesus’ ascension the attention it deserves. Here is a beautiful hymn text that considers the Ascension biblically, theologically, and with implications for our lives, below with my comments:

The author introduces us to the Ascended One with biblical allusions from the Psalms, most notably Psalm 24, from which Handel also helps us sing about Jesus’ ascension in “Lift up your heads, O ye gates.”

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 portals high are lifted
to receive their heavenly King.

Notably, this Ascended One is none other than God, the warrior, who has already chosen to die and has arisen:

Who is this that comes in glory,
with the trump of jubilee?
Lord of battles, God of armies,
he has gained the victory.
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.

Having systematically reminded us that Christ is eternal God who suffered and arose, the author draws typological connections between Jesus and four other men in the Bible, emphasizing that the One Who Ascends shares our humanity:

While he raised his hands in blessing,
he was parted from his friends
while their eager eyes behold him,
he upon the clouds ascends;
he who walked with God and pleased him,
preaching truth and doom to come,
he, our Enoch, is translated
to his everlasting home.

Now our heavenly Aaron enters,
with his blood, within the veil;
Joshua now is come to Canaan,
and the kings before him quail;
now he plants the tribes of Israel
in their promised resting place;
now our great Elijah offers
double portion of his grace.

Now that we know the Ascended One is both God and man, the author finally names him (“Jesus reigns”) and expounds the big implication: “man with God is on the throne.” Jesus’ ascension is good news, because it is ours as well: he “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2.4)

He has raised our human nature
on the clouds to God’s right hand;
there we sit in heavenly places,
there with him in glory stand:
Jesus reigns, adored by angels;
man with God is on the throne;
mighty Lord, in thine ascension
we by faith behold our own.

He ends his exploration doxologically, glorifying the Triune God because of who he is for us:

Glory be to God the Father,
glory be to God the Son,
dying, risen, ascending for us,
who the heavenly realm has won;
glory to the Holy Spirit,
to One God in persons Three;
glory both in earth and heaven,
glory, endless glory, be.

Hear the original tune sung by Wakefield Cathedral Choir.

Or, hear a popular version arranged by Jenny & Tyler