Ponder Anew
Happy New Year!
Well, almost.
Welcome to the Lectionary Hymn of the Week!
One of my goals for Ponder Anew has been to introduce new regular or recurring features. I was planning on introducing this new weekly feature to Ponder Anew as we began a new church year with Advent. But there are so many great hymns for Christ the King, I just couldn’t wait.
So here we go! Each Friday, I will post the text of a great hymn that corresponds to the following Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary readings. It may also be accompanied by a video clip, Scripture reading, quote, prayer, or some brief commentary from me. I hope that those who are not a part of regular hymn singing will come across these hymns, be challenged and encouraged, and begin to look for songs of faith which reflect the beauty of the gospel.
We begin with one of the greatest hymns ever written, by one of the greatest hymnwriters.
Christ the King/Reign of Christ
Proper 29
The earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein…
Psalm 24:1
“There is not an inch of any sphere of life over which Jesus Christ does not say ‘Mine.'”
– Abraham Kuyper
Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
Text: Isaac Watts, 1719
Tune: DUKE STREET
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head;
his name, like sweet perfume, shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where’er he reigns:
the prisoners leap to loose their chains;
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
honors peculiar to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen!
Additional original stanzas:
2. Behold the islands with their kings,
And Europe her best tribute brings;
From north to south the princes meet,
To pay their homage at His feet.
3. There Persia, glorious to behold,
There India shines in eastern gold;
And barb’rous nations at His word
Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.
7. Where He displays His healing power,
Death and the curse are known no more:
In Him the tribes of Adam boast
More blessings than their father lost.
9. Great God, whose universal sway
The known and unknown worlds obey,
Now give the kingdom to Thy Son,
Extend His power, exalt His throne.
10. The scepter well becomes His hands;
All Heav’n submits to His commands;
His justice shall avenge the poor,
And pride and rage prevail no more.
11. With power He vindicates the just,
And treads th’oppressor in the dust:
His worship and His fear shall last
Till hours, and years, and time be past.
12. As rain on meadows newly mown,
So shall He send his influence down:
His grace on fainting souls distills,
Like heav’nly dew on thirsty hills.
13. The heathen lands, that lie beneath
The shades of overspreading death,
Revive at His first dawning light;
And deserts blossom at the sight.
14. The saints shall flourish in His days,
Dressed in the robes of joy and praise;
Peace, like a river, from His throne
Shall flow to nations yet unknown.
Photo:
Flickr, creative commons 2.0
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