O Sons and Daughters of the King

“O Sons and Daughters of the King” (LSB 470/471) has two tunes featured in the Lutheran Service Book. The tune for LSB 470 is a Lutheran chorale and the tune for LSB 471 is a Latin tune. (Both tunes are featured below.)

The text of “O Sons and Daughters of the King” is an abridged harmony of the resurrection narratives employing all four canonical Gospels. The emphasis, however, is on the 20th chapter of John’s Gospel.

The hymn begins with that first Easter morning and follows the resurrection narrative through that first Easter week.

The first stanza begins with the triumphant message of Jesus’ resurrection. The second and third stanzas tell of the women who first witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. The fourth and fifth stanzas tell of Christ revealing Himself to the apostles (except for Thomas) in the locked room. The sixth stanza tells of Christ’s second appearance to the apostles behind closed doors to reveal Himself to Thomas. The seventh stanza tells of Christ displaying His crucified and resurrected body. The eighth stanza is Jesus’ very words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The final stanza tells how Easter surpasses all other holy days.

The message of the hymn for us is that Jesus truly did rise from the dead, and this is good news for all who believe. Even those who have not seen their risen Lord with their own eyes or touched Him with their hands can trust in the message of those who did see and touch the flesh of Jesus raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

1 O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3 An angel clad in white they see,
Who sits and speaks unto the three,
“Your Lord will go to Galilee.”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 That night the_apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said, “My peace be with you here.”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

5 When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

6 “My piercèd side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon My hands, My feet;
Not faithless but believing be.”
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

7 No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“You are my Lord and God!” he cried.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

8 How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

9 On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voices raise.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Text: Public domain