Who is blessed for coming in the Lord's name?

Background and Scriptural Context

Psalm 118 stands out among the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113–118), traditionally sung during Jewish festivals. One pivotal verse repeatedly quoted in the New Testament is Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” In its Old Testament context, this blessing upon the arrival of a worshipper was closely linked to recognizing God’s provision and deliverance. As the worshipper approached the temple gates, the priests or people would greet them with this blessing. Over centuries, it came to carry Messianic significance, especially as seen in New Testament portrayals of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

The Old Testament Foundation

Psalm 118 as a whole emphasizes gratitude for the steadfast love of the Lord and His saving power. Verse 26 captures the communal joy in receiving the one who appears in God’s authority. The Dead Sea Scrolls preserve portions of Psalm 118, showing that this text was revered by the Jewish community at Qumran well before the ministry of Christ. The phrase “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD” stands as an enduring declaration that the one who approaches on behalf of Yahweh is under divine favor and rightful honor.

New Testament Fulfillment

The Gospels record this distinctive blessing during Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem at the start of what is now called Passion Week. For instance, Matthew 21:9 recounts the crowds exclaiming, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” and then proclaiming, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Similarly, Mark 11:9 depicts the jubilant welcome: “Those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

According to the earliest accessible Greek manuscripts, this acclamation signals faith in Jesus as the long-awaited King who embodies all that Psalm 118 foreshadowed. Scholars and textual critics alike note the remarkable unity of these passages across the Synoptic Gospels and John’s Gospel (John 12:13), demonstrating that the earliest Christian communities consistently recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament blessing.

Who Receives This Blessing?

1. The Messiah, Jesus Christ: Chiefly, these verses point to the Messiah as the One supremely “coming in the name of the Lord.” By applying Psalm 118:26 to Jesus, the Gospel writers underscore that He arrives under God’s authority and brings salvation. In Matthew 23:39, Jesus Himself references this phrase in a prophetic statement regarding His second coming, further connecting the phrase with His divinely sanctioned mission.

2. Those Who Proclaim God’s Authority: Scripture also illustrates that all individuals—prophets, disciples, or faithful believers—who come “in the name of the Lord” receive spiritual blessing. They carry God’s message and presence, reflecting His character. Though the ultimate reference is to the Messiah, there is a secondary application for believers who, as ambassadors of the gospel, move under God’s commission.

Significance of “Coming in the Name of the Lord”

To come “in the name of the Lord” is to be recognized as God’s representative, endowed with His message, and entrusted with His mission. In the Gospel accounts, crowds hail Jesus this way as a sign that He is not merely another teacher or prophet; He is the promised King from David’s line, empowered by the Most High.

Additionally, within early Christian apologetics—and supported by historical, archaeological, and manuscript evidence—Jesus’ identity is substantiated by miraculous signs, fulfilled prophecy, and the resurrection that solidifies Him as Creator, Redeemer, and the unique “one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Many first-century manuscripts, including fragments preserved in the John Rylands Library (for John’s Gospel), further attest to how quickly and broadly the early believers proclaimed these truths about Jesus.

The Blessing Within Its Festive Setting

Historically, the crowds in Jerusalem were preparing for Passover when they greeted Jesus with palm branches and celebratory shouts (John 12:12–13). The corporate cry of “Hosanna!” means “Save now,” a direct appeal for divine rescue and a recognition of Jesus’ messianic authority. This underscores that the blessing is not merely a greeting but a plea and statement of faith in the divine mission of the one receiving it.

Link to Salvation and Transformation

In Luke 19:38, the people exclaim, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” tying the blessing directly to Christ’s kingship. From a broader theological standpoint, this kingship leads to salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The resurrection stands at the heart of Christian faith, providing the decisive evidence that Jesus indeed came by God’s will and accomplished the redemptive purpose.

While the phrase in Psalm 118 predated the Incarnation by centuries, the New Testament community found its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s salvific work. This synergy between ancient prophecy and recorded historical events resonates powerfully for those investigating the reliability of Scripture: the recorded eyewitness testimonies, the early manuscript evidence, and the corroboration of historical detail all bolster the legitimacy of the biblical claim that Jesus is truly “the One who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Continued Relevance and Application

• Worship and Acknowledgment: Recognizing who Jesus is and acknowledging His divine appointment remains central to Christian life. Believers today still echo the words of Psalm 118 whenever they celebrate the Lord’s Supper, Passion Week, and in many liturgical expressions—affirming that “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” is fundamentally a confession of faith in Jesus’ identity.

• Living Under God’s Authority: For those who carry the gospel forward “in the name of the Lord,” there is a continuing blessing. Each believer is invited into Christ’s mission, standing under divine commission to serve, love, and proclaim the good news. This resonates with Jesus’ own teaching (John 13:20), where He states that whoever receives one whom He has sent receives Him, and thereby the One who sent Him.

• Anticipation of the Future: Finally, believers look forward to the day when, as Jesus foretold in Matthew 23:39, people will again say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” In eschatological hope, the phrase points not just to the first triumphal entry, but also to the anticipated return of Christ as King over all creation.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD” initially welcomed worshippers under God’s covenant care but grew into a Messianic pronouncement that culminated in the coming of Jesus Christ. Across Old and New Testaments, the consistent theme is God’s redemptive plan, anchored in His sovereign authority. Early manuscript testimonies, archaeological findings, and the unbroken tradition of Christian worship reaffirm the truth that Jesus embodies the fulfillment of Psalm 118’s blessing.

Thus, the direct answer to “Who is blessed for coming in the Lord’s name?” is ultimately Jesus Christ, God’s appointed Messiah and Son, the one entrusted with all authority in heaven and on earth. Secondarily, all who serve under God’s commission and declare the gospel in His name share, in a lesser but real sense, in that same blessing. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD” stands as a timeless proclamation of God’s redemptive work and His sovereign favor upon the One who bears His name.