O King of the Nations

The sixth O Antiphon:

O King of the nations, the Ruler they long for, the Cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom You formed out of clay. Amen.

“The Stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes” (Mark 12:10-11). The Church begs God to come and save those whom He has made in His own image, but whose features sin has distorted. We await the coming of the Cornerstone, the foundation upon which the Church, the home of all peoples, is built.

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. [Isaiah 2:4] 

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6] 

O come, Desire of nations, bind 

In one the hearts of all mankind; 

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, 

And be Thyself our King of Peace. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel! 

[LSB 357, stanza 7]