“Hosanna! Blessed Be the Name of the Most High God!”
The word “Hosanna” literally means “Save now, save we pray” and is taken from a messianic psalm found in the Old Testament (see Psalms 118:25). It was commonly used in ancient times in connection with the worship of Jehovah at the Feast of Tabernacles. Shouting Hosannas and waving palm branches was a means of worshipping the Messiah and acknowledging his saving power (see Matthew 21:9, 15). No doubt the Nephites were familiar with this conceptual meaning of Hosanna. But what is most important in this verse, is that the people were so overcome with love and gratitude that they worshipped the very person for whom these ancient “Hosannas” had been reserved. In the modern Church also the “Hosanna shout” is used as a sacred means of worshipping the Lord and expressing our profound respect, love, and gratitude for him and his holy mission. The modern proclamations of “Hosanna” are usually reserved for deeply sacred events such as temple dedications. Whether done anciently or today, it is a symbol of deep reverence for and worship of our Lord.
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