O WORSHIP THE KING

Dearly Beloved, O WORSHIP THE KING "Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain" (Psalm 104:1-2 NKJV). One of the attributes of God that is prominently pronounced in the Holy Bible is royalty or kingship. Apart from the fact that God is presented as Someone who has a throne (Psalm 9:7-8; 45:6; Psalm 47:8; Isaiah 37:16) and a kingdom (Psalm 145:11-13; Matthew 6:10; Luke 4:43), He is addressed in many places in the Holy Bible as the “heavenly King”, “everlasting King”, “eternal King” (1 Timothy 1:17), “King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16), "the King of all the earth" (Psalm 47:6-7), "a great King" (Psalm 47:2; 95:3), "the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5), "the King of Israel" (Isaiah 44:6; John 1:49), "King of the nations" (Revelation 15:3), and so on. This concept of kingship might have inspired Sir Robert Grant (1779-1838) to compose the popular hymn, “O WORSHIP THE KING”. In fact, Grant based the hymn on Psalm 104 that describes God in His royal majesty. As a trained lawyer-turned politician who was directly involved in royal affairs, Grant knew what it means to be in power and have control over other people. As a devout Christian, he began to compare the kingship of Jesus Christ to the British royalty as he was meditating on Psalm 104. His meditation resulted in the composition of the hymn. In the hymn, Grant enjoined people to worship the King in all His glory above and gratefully sing His power and His love because He is our Shield, our Defender, and the Ancient of Days. This heavenly King is pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise. Grant wanted people to tell of the might of this eternal King and sing of His grace because His robe is the light and space is His canopy. No tongue can recite the bountiful care of this great King. This care is demonstrated in the air and in the light as well as in the dew and the rain. Because the mighty King (who is our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend) can never fail, and His mercies are tender and firm to the end, we children of dust (that are feeble and frail) should put our trust in Him. This King of kings is the measureless Might and unchangeable Love whom angels delight to worship above. His ransomed creation, with glory ablaze, will sing to His praise in true adoration! Earthly kings and other rulers may have some splendour, glory and honour, but they can never be compared to the heavenly King who is splendour, glory and honour personified. The earthly rulers are temporal and mortal while the heavenly King is eternal and immortal. The heavenly King is the real unquestionable King. In fact, He is incomparable to any earthly ruler. He alone is worthy of our worship. O worship the King all glorious above! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always ascribe the splendour, glory, honour and worship only unto the eternal King.