ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // This paraphrase of Psalm 72 helps us answer the question present at the conclusion of this weekend’s Gospel:  “What is this new teaching with authority?” Just as Christ demonstrates in the synagogue, He comes today to “break oppression, set captives free, take away transgression, and rule in equity.”

Stanza 2 // As perplexed as those in this weekend’s Gospel reading appear, they have one thing right! They recognize Jesus’ “authority” in the world. This stanza points out the equally shocking way in which our Lord uses the authority he possesses. He comes to “rescue” all who suffer, to “help the poor and needy” and give strength to the weak. In Christ, we have “songs” in the midst of “sighing,” our “darkness” is turned to “light,” and our “condemned and dying souls” are called “precious” in the eyes of God.

Stanza 3 // In what can sound like a poetic description of spring, this hymn gently announces the true authority of Christ! When the One with “all authority” arrives, life is given! In this life, “peace” is announced, and “righteousness” flows freely to those in need.

Stanza 4 // During this Time after Epiphany, the fourth stanza places this weekend’s account of authority and healing in the context of Christ as a revelation to all people. When Christ comes with authority to forgive, rulers of the world [with only worldly authority] bring gifts, powerful nations of the world bow in adoration, and God’s people lift their voice in song! In contrast to the kingdoms and powers of the world, our Lord’s reign and authority knows no end. As those who live in this kingdom, this is good news for us today!

OTHER SUGGESTIONS: 

ELW 311 -  Hail to the Lord’s Appointed // ꜰʀᴇᴜᴛ ᴇᴜᴄʜ, ɪʜʀ ʟɪᴇʙᴇɴ

ELW 434 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ

ELW 757 - All My Hope on God Is Founded - ᴍɪᴄʜᴀᴇʟ

ELW 811 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - ᴅᴇʀ ᴀᴍ ᴋʀᴇᴜᴢ

ELW 877 - Praise the Almighty! - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ, ᴏ ᴍᴇɪɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʟᴇ

ELW 880 - O God beyond All Praising - ᴛʜᴀxᴛᴇᴅ

ELW 886 - Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing - ᴀᴢᴍᴏɴ

LSB 87 - Hail to the Lord’s Anointed - ꜰʀᴇᴜᴛ ᴇᴜᴄʜ, ɪʜʀ ʟɪᴇʙᴇɴ

LBW 102 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - ᴅᴇʀ ᴀᴍ ᴋʀᴇᴜᴢ

LBW 530 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ

LBW 539 - Praise the Almighty! - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ, ᴏ ᴍᴇɪɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʟᴇ

LBW 559 - Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing - ᴀᴢᴍᴏɴ

LSB 422 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - ᴅᴇʀ ᴀᴍ ᴋʀᴇᴜᴢ

LSB 797 - Praise the Almighty! - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ, ᴏ ᴍᴇɪɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʟᴇ

LSB 398 - Hail to the Lord’s Anointed - ꜰʀᴇᴜᴛ ᴇᴜᴄʜ, ɪʜʀ ʟɪᴇʙᴇɴ

LSB 528 - Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing - ᴀᴢᴍᴏɴ

LSB 832 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ

RH 30 - Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing - ᴀᴢᴍᴏɴ

RH 52 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - ᴅᴇʀ ᴀᴍ ᴋʀᴇᴜᴢ

RH 268 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ