Worship The King

The Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.

Revelation 17:14

People often ask why the audience stands during the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” portion of Handel’s Messiah. The custom dates back to the 1740s, when England’s King George II heard the presentation for the first time. He was so moved by the “Hallelujah Chorus” that he stood to his feet in honor of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Since no one remains seated when royalty stands, the rest of the audience stood as well—and audiences have stood ever since.

In the ancient Near East, the superlative form of an adjective or adverb was not described in one word, as it is in English (such as best, brightest, or funniest). The best song was “the song of songs,” and the greatest king was “the king of kings.” Artaxerxes, king of Persia, referred to himself as the “king of kings” (Ezra 7:12), and God gave Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon the same title (Ezekiel 26:7).

A day is coming when the whole world will recognize the true “King of kings,” Jesus Christ. If He is not the king you worship, wouldn’t now be the time to worship Him as the King of kings?

Whether standing or bowing, worship is due the King of kings.