Hosanna is what a congregation shouts or sings when it welcomes Jesus Christ, especially on Palm Sunday. The word comes from an Aramaic phrase meaning “Save now!” and appears in the Gospels as an acclamation of praise. Christians still use it in hymns, liturgy, and spontaneous worship.
Where does the word Hosanna come from?
The New Testament Greek word is a transliteration of Aramaic, so English speakers say the same sound the earliest churches heard. It means “Save now!” or “Give salvation now,” a plea for God's saving help. The Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, ends Psalm 118 with the word, and a related form, “Hosha na” (“save, please”), appears in Jewish prayer for the High Holy Days. The word has Jewish scriptural and liturgical roots long before Christians use it for praise.
Where does Hosanna appear in the Bible?
All four Gospels record crowds greeting Jesus with Hosanna as he entered Jerusalem. The King James Version of Matthew 21:9 reads, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” In Luke 19:38 the crowd adds “in the highest,” giving the phrase “Hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:15 also reports children in the temple crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
That is why Palm Sunday services often feature the word. Congregations sing it, let a choir or soloist ring it out, or shout it while waving palm branches. Holy Week worship builds on this image of a crowd praising the Messiah who comes in the name of the Lord.
How do different churches use Hosanna?
Catholic Mass includes “Hosanna in the highest” in the Sanctus and the Benedictus, and one memorial acclamation during the Eucharistic Prayer is “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna.” Anglican and Episcopal services use it in the same places, and many Lutheran and Methodist congregations sing it in the responsive reading or as an acclamation before the sermon.
Orthodox Christians chant the word in Palm Sunday hymns and processions, including the troparion “Hosanna to the Son of David!” In Pentecostal and charismatic worship, the word is often shouted as a spontaneous response to a sermon or song, sometimes understood as a loud welcome to the presence of Christ. Contemporary worship songs also use it as a refrain, much like hallelujah.
What to expect if you hear “Hosanna!”
In a formal service, the word may appear in a printed order of service or hymnal, so you can follow along. In a less formal or expressive congregation, expect raised hands, clapping, a worship team leading a repeated “Hosanna,” or a shouted response from the room. Standing for the Palm Sunday procession is common, and palm branches may be handed out at the door.
No one expects a visitor to shout on cue. You can join the singing, clap, remain seated, or simply listen; the word is an offer of praise, not a requirement. Practice varies by congregation, so the same word may sound quiet in one room and loud in another.