Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

By Psalms and Hymns for the Church (1883). VI. “Is not this our King and Prophet?”

William Josiah Irons (1812–1883)

“IS not This our King and Prophet?”—

Ring Hosannas, wave the palm,

Let the children from the temple

Echo back the people’s psalm;

“Blessèd is the Son of David,”

Blessèd is the Christ of God,

Welcome to the hill of Sion,

Deck the pathway, strew the sod!

“Meek and lowly One,” He cometh,

And the anthem greets His ears;

Lo the city lies before Him,

But He sees it through His tears;

Looking from the Mount of Olives,

Towers and marble temple rise;—

Is thy peace, O well-loved Salem,

“Hid for ever from thine eyes”?

Sees He now, in solemn vision,

Calvary “without the gate”?

Israel fallen—“house and city

Left unto her desolate”?

Yes, O Saviour all-enduring!

Thou wast watching every heart—

Which would love Thee, which forsake Thee,

Which would do the traitor’s part.

Pity, Lord, man’s hollow praises,

Then or now, which greet Thee thus;

“By Thy Cross, and by Thy Passion,”

O have mercy yet on us!

Now Thou reignest with the Father

And the Spirit evermore;

Lord, look down upon Thy servants,

Who repent, and would adore.