Come, Thou Almighty King

Come, Thou Almighty King,

Help us Thy name to sing,

Help us to praise:

Father! all-glorious,

O’er all victorious,

Come, and reign over us,

Ancient of Days.

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,

Gird on Thy mighty sword,

Our prayer attend!

Come, and Thy people bless,

And give Thy word success:

Spirit of holiness,

On us descend.

Come, Holy Comforter,

Thy sacred witness bear

In this glad hour!

Thou, who almighty art,

Now rule in ev’ry heart

And ne’er from us depart,

Spirit of pow’r.

To Thee, great One in Three,

Eternal praises be,

Hence evermore;

Thy sov’reign majesty

May we in glory see,

And to eternity

Love and adore.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

PRESIDENTS, kings, and other ruling officials should be honored and prayed for. So wrote the apostles Peter and Paul, who lived under the Roman emperors. But we must never forget that the King of kings and Lord of lords deserves our ultimate honor and complete allegiance.

This hymn appeared anonymously in George Whitefield’s Hymn Book, published in 1757. It is usually attributed to Charles Wesley, but was probably published anonymously for a good reason. Scholars think Wesley wrote this hymn as an imitation of the English national anthem, “God Save Our Gracious King.” The national anthem had just been written, and it had become popular throughout England. This hymn may have been Wesley’s way of keeping priorities straight.

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:1-3