Below are the complete lyrics of the hymn, which capture the celebration of Christ’s kingship and the adoration of His people:
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Verse 1
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and Blessed One.
Verse 2
The company of angels
Are praising Thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
Verse 3
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems
Before Thee we present.
Verse 4
To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
Verse 5
Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.
These lyrics invite worshippers to join in the eternal praise of Jesus, our Redeemer and King.
Line-by-Line Meaning
“All glory, laud, and honor / To Thee, Redeemer, King,”
The worshipers are joyfully declaring their praise, respect, and celebration for Jesus, recognizing Him as their Savior and King.
“To whom the lips of children / Made sweet hosannas ring.”
The hymn praises Jesus, who received pure and joyful worship from children shouting “Hosanna” — their innocent voices offering praise that delighted Heaven.
“Thou art the King of Israel, / Thou David’s royal Son,”
Jesus is honored as the true King of Israel and the long-awaited descendant of King David, fulfilling God’s promise of a Savior to rule with justice and peace forever.
“Who in the Lord’s name comest, / The King and Blessed One.”
Jesus is the one who comes with God’s authority and blessing. He is the promised King and the one chosen by God, deserving of worship and honor.
“The company of angels / Are praising Thee on high,”
In Heaven, multitudes of angels are joyfully praising Jesus, lifting His name high above all. His glory is not just recognized on Earth, but worshipped in the heavenly realm as well.
“And mortal men and all things / Created make reply.”
Not only angels, but humans and all creation—everything that exists—respond in worship to Jesus, recognizing His majesty and divine authority.
“The people of the Hebrews / With palms before Thee went;”
The Jewish people once joyfully welcomed Jesus as King, waving palm branches and celebrating His arrival, recognizing Him as the Messiah.
“Our praise and prayer and anthems / Before Thee we present.”
Today, we come before Jesus with our praises, prayers, and worship songs, just as people once welcomed Him with palms. It’s our way of honoring Him as King and Savior.
“To Thee, before Thy passion, / They sang their hymns of praise;”
Before Jesus went through His suffering and crucifixion, the people joyfully praised Him with songs and shouts of honor. They celebrated Him as King, even though they didn’t yet fully understand the sacrifice He was about to make.
“To Thee, now high exalted, / Our melody we raise.”
Now that Jesus is glorified and reigning in Heaven, we lift our songs in joyful worship, offering Him our heartfelt praise.
“Thou didst accept their praises; / Accept the prayers we bring,”
Just as You (Jesus) accepted the heartfelt praise of the people long ago, please also receive the prayers and worship we offer You today.
“Who in all good delightest, / Thou good and gracious King.”
Jesus, You take joy in all that is good. You are our loving, merciful, and righteous King—and we honor You with our hearts and prayers.
Original Author: Theodulf of Orléans (c. 750 – 821)
- Who he was: A Benedictine monk, poet, theologian, and Bishop of Orléans under Charlemagne. Born likely in Italy, he later became a leading intellectual figure of the Carolingian Renaissance
- Authorship of the Latin hymn: Composed between 810–817 AD while under house arrest by Emperor Louis the Pious, he wrote the Latin Palm Sunday processional hymn “Gloria, laus et honor” (meaning “Glory, praise and honor”)
- Historical context: The hymn was intended to honor Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. According to tradition, its singing inspired his release
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Author | Theodulf of Orléans (c. 750 – 821), Bishop, poet, theologian |
| Original Composition | “Gloria, laus et honor” (Latin), c. 810–817, during house arrest |
| Translator | John Mason Neale (1818–1866), Anglican priest and medieval hymn scholar |
| Translations Published | 1851 (first), revised 1854 & 1861; featured in Hymns Ancient and Modern |
| Theme | Celebrates Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem — sung on Palm Sunday |
The Spiritual Meaning Behind the Hymn
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” reflects the biblical account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11), where crowds shouted “Hosanna” and laid palm branches before Him. The hymn captures the joy of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and King, while also pointing to His humility and ultimate sacrifice. Its refrain and verses unite believers across generations in worship, emphasizing Christ’s eternal reign and the call to offer Him praise.
This hymn is especially meaningful during Palm Sunday, as it connects worshippers to the historical and spiritual significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, preparing their hearts for Holy Week and Easter.
How to Use This Hymn in Worship
- Palm Sunday Services: Sing the hymn during Palm Sunday processions or services to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry.
- Personal Reflection: Use the lyrics for meditation during Lent or Holy Week to focus on Christ’s kingship.
- Choir Arrangements: Arrange the hymn for choirs or worship teams to enhance its majestic melody.
- Teaching Tool: Share the hymn with children or new believers to teach about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and its significance.
More Stories: Most Popular Hymns – Hymnlyrics.org
FAQs – All Glory, Laud, and Honor
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” is a traditional Palm Sunday hymn that praises Jesus Christ as the Redeemer and King. It reflects the joy and reverence of those who welcomed Him into Jerusalem, celebrating His divine kingship and fulfillment of prophecy.
The original Latin version of the hymn was written by Theodulf of Orléans in the early 9th century. It was later translated into English by John Mason Neale in the 19th century and has become a staple in Christian liturgy.
The hymn is based on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as described in Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–10, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19, where crowds laid palm branches and shouted “Hosanna” as they welcomed Him.
It is most commonly sung on Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Churches use it during processions or worship services to reenact the joyful welcome Jesus received.
The word “laud” is an old English term meaning praise or worship. In the hymn, it emphasizes giving Jesus glory, praise, and honor as the Redeemer and King.
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