A Sermon in Song based on the Hymn:
Come Thou Almighty King
Introduction:
William J. Reynolds in Hymns of Faith says that Come Thou Almighty King was written to the tune of “God Save the King,” which came into general use in 1745. For some time it was sung to this tune, known to us as “My Country ‘tis of Thee.” H. Austin Smith in Lyric Religion adds, “During the Revolutionary War a company of British soldiers attended a church in Long Island filled with American patriots. They demanded, with the insolence of superior force, that the congregation sing ‘God Save the King.’ The congregation in apparent obedience sang the tune, but the words they used were ‘Come Thou Almighty King!’ Theirs was a heart-felt prayer, ‘Help us thy name to sing.’”
Note the variety of the titles of the Deity: Almighty King, Incarnate Word, Father all-glorious, Spirit of Holiness, Ancient of Days, Sovereign Majesty, O Lord Our God. Also notice the petitions which this hymn includes: Help us to praise, Give Thy word success, Reign over us, Thy people bless.
The words “And to eternity” are concerned with future life. The worshipper who has enjoyed the privilege of prayer and praise here looks forward to the joy of ceaseless praise hereafter.
In The Worshipping Church, C. Paulette Moore says, “Originally entitled A Hymn to the Trinity, this hymn’s four stanzas devote one each to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and conclude with a Trinitarian doxology.”
***************************
Now we will emphasize phrases from this hymn with songs. After each song title I have given the part of the verse that supports the idea. As you choose from the songs listed, you may sing the entire song or just the pertinent verse.
“COME, THOU ALMIGHTY KING”
His Name Is Wonderful – “Almighty God is He”
On Zion’s Glorious Summit – “O Almighty King!”
“HELP US THY NAME TO SING – HELP US TO PRAISE”
Holy, Holy, Holy – “All thy works shall praise Thy name”
All People That on Earth Do Dwell – “praise, laud and bless His name always”
“FATHER ALL GLORIOUS, O’ER ALL VICTORIOUS”
True-Hearted, Whole Hearted – “yielding henceforth to our glorious King”
Hallelujah! What A Savior – “When He comes, our glorious King”
“COME AND REIGN OVER US, ANCIENT OF DAYS”
Purer In Heart, O God – “Reign Thou my soul within”
Blessed Be The Name – “All praise to Him who reigns above”
“COME, THOU INCARNATE WORD”
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – “Hail the Incarnate Deity”
O Word of God Incarnate
“GIRD ON THY MIGHTY SWORD”
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory – “His terrible swift sword”
Faith Is The Victory – “Our sword the word of God”
Standing on the Promises – “overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword”
“OUR PRAYER ATTEND”
Hear Me When I Call – “O God attend unto my prayer”
Eternal Father – “O hear us when we cry to thee”
“COME AND THY PEOPLE BLESS”
Jesus Is Mine – “Jesus alone can bless”
I Need Thee Every Hour – “O bless me now my Savior”
Why Do You Wait? – “Your Savior is longing to bless you”
“AND GIVE THY WORD SUCCESS”
Walking Alone at Eve – “with His word He is drawing near”
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken – “He whose word cannot be broken”
The Sands Have Been Washed – “I know in His word He has promised”
“SPIRIT OF HOLINESS”
Jesus, Rose of Sharon – “beauties of Thy truth and holiness impart”
Lead On, O King Eternal – “holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace”
“ON US DESCEND”
O Little Town of Bethlehem – “descend to us we pray”
Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
“O LORD, OUR GOD, TO THEE THE HIGHEST PRAISES BE”
Stepping In the Light – “Happy our praises each day”
Love Lifted Me – “ever His praises sing”
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – “songs of praises I will ever give to Thee”
“HENCE EVER MORE, THY SOVEREIGN MAJESTY”
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name – “To Him all majesty ascribe”
Majesty
“MAY WE IN GLORY SEE”
Just over in the Gloryland
When all my Labors and Trials are o’er – “O that will be glory for me”
“AND TO ETERNITY LOVE AND ADORE”
O Thou Fount of Every Blessing – “Teach me ever to adore Thee”
Close To Thee – “the gate of life eternal, may I enter, Lord with Thee”
Sermon in Song prepared by Paul Brown (1929-2017)