“When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” – Matthew 21:10-11
Declaring Praise
When we say “Hosanna in the highest,” we are making a powerful declaration of praise. This exclamation is rooted in our worship and signifies our recognition of God’s sovereignty and goodness. As we lift our voices in adoration, we acknowledge that Jesus is our Savior who came to bring hope and life. This phrase connects us deeply to the tradition of praising God and the anticipation of His kingdom. We gather to celebrate, to lift our hearts, and to proclaim loudly that He deserves all the honor; our praises rise high in appreciation for all He has done for us.
Psalm 118:25-26
“Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.” – Psalm 118:25-26
Luke 19:38
“saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” – Luke 19:38
Matthew 21:9
“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” – Matthew 21:9
Mark 11:9
“And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” – Mark 11:9
John 12:13
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” – John 12:13
The Significance of Hosanna
We often find ourselves caught up in the beauty of calling on the Lord with the term “Hosanna.” This word is not merely an expression but a heartfelt plea for salvation and deliverance. In calling out “Hosanna,” we remind ourselves and others of the incredible power that God holds. It signifies a yearning for His intervention in our lives and our faith in His promise of redemption. When we embrace this term, we affirm our hope and trust in God, knowing that He hears our calls and responds with love and grace. It encapsulates our longing for His presence among us.
Matthew 21:15
“But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant.” – Matthew 21:15
Psalm 147:10-11
“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” – Psalm 147:10-11
Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9
Romans 10:13
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
John 3:17
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:17
Celebrating Our Savior
As we shout “Hosanna in the highest,” we also celebrate our Savior, Jesus Christ. This proclamation is tied to recognizing Him not just as a miracle worker but as our Redeemer and King. Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem reminds us of His mission and purpose for our lives. We gather together as a community to joyfully acknowledge and reflect on His goodness, love, and grace. It’s a time for us to remember His sacrifices and the gift of salvation He brought us, celebrating the depth of His love that never fails. These moments remind us that because of Him, we have hope.
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:14
Philippians 2:10-11
“so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:10-11
Revelation 5:12
“saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” – Revelation 5:12
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2
Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16
The Heart of Worship
Worship is the cornerstone of our faith, and the phrase “Hosanna in the highest” captures the essence of giving all glory to God. Our worship is not merely singing songs but is a heartfelt response to God for who He is. It comes from a place of sincerity and connection, where we express our love and adoration freely. As we gather to worship, we uplift one another and invite God’s presence among us, reminding ourselves that our cries of Hosanna are a beacon of our faith and devotion. It is a beautiful way we connect with God and each other, drawing near through music and praise.
John 4:24
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24
Psalm 95:1-2
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” – Psalm 95:1-2
1 Chronicles 16:29
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;” – 1 Chronicles 16:29
Hebrews 13:15
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
Psalm 100:2
“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” – Psalm 100:2
Hope and Anticipation
When we shout “Hosanna,” we also express our hope and anticipation for what God is doing in our lives. It is an acknowledgment that our God is at work and that He has a plan for us. As we lift our voices in faith, we reaffirm our trust in His promises. This declaration signifies that, despite life’s challenges, we remain faithful, believing in the goodness and redemption that lies ahead. Our cries of “Hosanna in the highest” evoke a longing for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done here on Earth. We share in the excitement of what is to come.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13
Isaiah 40:31
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Philippians 1:6
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6
Psalms 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalms 37:4
Unity in Praise
In proclaiming “Hosanna in the highest,” we find unity among believers, as this declaration binds us together in worship. Regardless of our backgrounds, cultures, or differences, our hearts beat as one when we lift our voices in praise to the Lord. This unity in faith is essential for our spiritual community to thrive. Together, we encourage one another, rejoice in our common message of hope, and cultivate a deep sense of togetherness. As we share in this expression of praise, we build a stronger church, celebrating the love of Christ that unites us all.
Ephesians 4:3
“Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
Colossians 3:14
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:14
Psalm 133:1
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Final Thoughts
As we explore the beautiful phrase “Hosanna in the highest,” we discover layers of meaning that enrich our faith. It is a declaration of praise and recognition of Jesus as our Savior. This call to worship encapsulates our hope, unity, and need for salvation while reminding us that we are part of something greater—the body of Christ. Our cries of Hosanna echo throughout generations, connecting us with believers past and present, and encouraging us to remain steadfast in our faith. Together, we embrace this expression of joy and anticipation for God’s promises.
Let us continue to lift our voices in praise and celebrate the goodness of our God. In every season of life, may we find comfort in knowing that God hears us and responds to our hearts. If you wish to explore more topics about faith and raising our eyes toward heaven, consider reading about the gates of heaven or other scripture that inspires us.
In these moments of worship, we join together in unity as we declare that Jesus is King and forever will be. May our lives reflect the glory of Him who saves and redeems. Amen.