Christ, By Heavenly Hosts Adored

“Christ, by Heavenly Hosts Adored” is a hymn by Henry Harbaugh, first published in 1860 in his collection Poems. The text presents Christ as the sovereign Lord over all creation and the King of kings, worthy of the worship of heavenly hosts and the confession of His Church. It combines reverence for Christ's divine authority with prayer for the welfare of the nation, asking God to bless its people, provide for their needs, protect their work, and guide those entrusted with governing responsibilities.

The hymn's three stanzas move from the universal sovereignty of Christ to the practical concerns of national life. The opening stanza confesses Christ's authority over all created things and petitions Him to save and bless His people. The second stanza asks for favorable weather, fruitful fields, success in honest labor, and protection for commerce. The final stanza turns to public leadership, praying that rulers will love righteousness and that the people will grow in piety and peace. The hymn therefore joins Christian worship with a concern for the common good, teaching that national well-being should be sought through prayer, justice, peace, and dependence upon God.

Its biblical themes include the call to seek the peace of the community, the responsibility of civil authorities, and the duty to pray for those in leadership. Jeremiah 29:7 urges God's people to seek the peace of the city where they dwell, while 1 Timothy 2:1-2 calls for prayers and intercessions for all people, including kings and those in authority. The hymn does not treat national prosperity as merely a human achievement, but asks for God's providential care and for public life to be shaped by righteousness.

The text is associated with several tunes in different hymnals, including ST. GEORGE'S, WINDSOR, composed by George J. Elvey, and SALZBURG. The selected tune should therefore be checked against the particular hymnal or musical setting used by the library. The hymn is suitable for services of national thanksgiving, civic observances, harvest-related worship, and occasions when congregations pray for their country and its leaders.