What does hosanna mean?

From the old testament

• “Hosanna” is a way to shout out for help. There are two Hebrew words that combine to form the word hosanna. The first, yasha, means to deliver or save. The second, anna, is begging or beseeching. Together, they form the word hosanna, or begging to be saved. We see these Hebrew root words in Psalm 118:25: “Save us, we pray, O LORD!”

From the new testament

• When Jesus entered Jerusalem a week before His crucifixion, the crowds shouted “Hosanna”. They recognised Him as a saviour (Matthew 21:9–17), but their understanding of whether Jesus was a military saviour, a cultural saviour, or a spiritual saviour is unknown.
• Even the children shouted “hosanna” at Jesus (Matthew 21:15). When the chief priests and scribes saw this, in conjunction with the wonderful things Jesus had done, “they were indignant” (Matthew 21:15). Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2 to them, claiming to be God and telling the religious leaders that the children’s praise was appropriate (Matthew 21:16).
• Jesus did, indeed, save. A week later the crowds were calling for His crucifixion. Through His death and subsequent resurrection we are offered salvation (John 3:16–18; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8–9).

Implications for today

When we cry out to God for salvation, He hears us. When we are overwhelmed by the weight of our sin and life’s challenges, echoing the plea of “Hosanna” from Psalm 118:25 becomes our lifeline, a desperate yet trusting call for God’s rescue. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

When we call out to Jesus, acknowledging my need for His saving power, He answers with perfect and timely grace. His ultimate act of salvation through His death and resurrection assures me that my pleas are heard, and I receive the gift of eternal life, transforming my cries into declarations of reliance on His relentless love and saving power.