Hymn Study: Come Thou Almighty King

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I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters, and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God almighty reigns. Revelation 19:6

Come Thou Almighty King is a hymn I am very familiar with, spelling out for us who God is.

Originally sung to the tune “God save the King” the national anthem for Britain. Now obviously that wasn’t going to work in Britain, so a new tune was developed to go along with these words.

This song has been around since about 1755, with different authors being ascribed to it but none proven. Currently no one has a real certainty about who the author is. For more on this, I suggest you visit here.

Hymnologist Albert Bailey characterizes the hymn in this manner: “The
hymn is a prayer for the presence of Christ to inspire a congregation in
the hour of worship. God is addressed under three forms: as Father, the
timeless “Ancient of Days” whose function is to rule (stanza 1); as
Incarnate Word, the spirit of holiness whose function is to bless and
conquer (stanza 2); as Comforter, the indwelling source of joy and power
(stanza 3); and finally as the mystic combination, the Holy Trinity, in
whose presence we shall spend an eternity of love and adoration (stanza
4).” (source)

Lyrics:

1 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.

2 Come, thou incarnate Word,
gird on thy mighty sword;
scatter thy foes.
Let thine almighty aid
our sure defense be made,
our souls on thee be stayed;
thy wonders show.

3 Come, holy Comforter,
thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

4 To thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore.

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