In such times
it would have been natural for Wesley’s followers to become discouraged and
lose hope. One reason Charles Wesley wrote six thousand hymns was to encourage
Methodists to be a singing, joyful people.
Paul’s letter
to the Philippians provided Wesley’s text for this hymn. Paul was imprisoned in
Rome under Emperor Nero. But the message to the Philippians is one of joy and
encouragement. As Paul concludes his letter, he reminds Christians to “rejoice
in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” in whatever circumstances they
find themselves. You can be a victor regardless of the situation because the
Lord is King.
This hymn
first appeared in Wesley’s 1746 collection, Hymns for Our Lord’s Resurrection.
Each stanza adds another dimension to our praise: adoration, thanksgiving, and
exultation.
Scriptures: Psalm 95:1-3;
Philippians 4:4-9; Hebrews 1:3
Themes: Joy, Praise, Adoration,
Easter
Lyrics of the Hymn:
Rejoice, the
Lord is King!
Lord and King
adore!
Rejoice, give
thanks, and sing,
And triumph
evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift
up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say,
rejoice!
Jesus, the
Savior, reigns,
The God of
truth and love;
When He had
purged our stains,
He took His
seat above:
His kingdom
cannot fail,
He rules o’er
earth and heaven;
The keys of
death and hell
Are to our
Jesus given:
Rejoice in
glorious hope!
Our Lord the
judge shall come,
And take His
servants up
To their
eternal home:
By CHARLES
WESLEY (1707–1788)
Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen,
William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 68-69). Tyndale House Publishers.
Kindle Edition.
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