268 Thy Kingdom Come, on Bended Knee
Frederick L. Hosmer, 1840-1929
One of the few hymns written on the petition, “Thy Kingdom come,” in the Lord’s Prayer. Canon Percy Dearmer speaks of this as “one of the noblest hymns in the language.” It is a fervent prayer for the day when there shall be more justice, knowledge, peace, and righteousness on the earth.
The hymn was written June 21, 1891, for the commencement of the Meadville Theological School, Pennsylvania.
For comments on Frederick L. Hosmer see Hymn 72.
MUSIC. IRISH, also called “Dublin,” appeared first in Hymns and Sacred Poems, published in Dublin in 1749. The composer is not known. It is a smooth, triple-time tune which young people love to sing. Its name is misleading, for there is no indication of an Irish origin other than, as stated, its appearance in a book published in Dublin.