2024 #2
O Worship The King
In selecting hymns and songs for worship, music leaders must be keenly aware of the subject and object of our worship. Sometimes it would be great if it were possible to roll up an entire song service into one piece of music.
“O Worship The King” is one of those hymns. The words were written by Robert Grant (1779-1838) in 1833. The music was arranged by William Gardiner in 1815. The tune is called Lyons.
Many hymnals and collection, including the Baptist Hymnal 1991 that I used for many years, use just four verses. A few use five, while one collection in my survey employs six. It would be better for hymnals to include all six verses, for Grant’s hymn gives a complete account.
The account, which follows the first seven verses of Psalm 104, begins with a call to worship based on the majesty of God. Psalm 104 is a creation psalm, and Grant takes the worshipper to consider the God’s majesty through the details of creation. Using vivid imagery, Grant uses each verse to make the statement that creation reflects the glory of God in the same that Paul indicates in Romans, “For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, HCSB).
God is not only the creator of the world, He is a personal God as well. God’s providential care for creation is shown in each verse. Finally, man is shown to be “frail” and “feeble” compared to God who shows His “mercies” in all ways. The sixth verse brings the hymn full circle to praising God as king over all His “humbler creation.”
Grant makes our God both the subject and object of worship in “O Worship The King.” It is an excellent hymn for the second position in a worship song service. In this position, this hymn tells a complete story and can serve to transition from hymns and songs of praise and worship to those that are more evangelistic in nature.
In the comment section below is an arrangement of “O Worship The King” with full choir and organ.
Mark Riser - Apologist 