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    O Worship the King

    Robert Grant 1833 Tune: Lyons (10.10.11.11)

    A regal paraphrase of Psalm 104 extolling the Creator-King's power and care.

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    Quick Answer

    A regal paraphrase of Psalm 104 extolling the Creator-King's power and care. Written by Robert Grant (1833), set to the tune "Lyons" by Johann Michael Haydn.

    Suggested pairing scripture

    Psalm 104:1-2

    "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain."

    Read Psalm 104:1-2 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "O Worship the King." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.

    Read in context

    When to sing this

    Sing at Thanksgiving, year-end services, and anniversaries that recall God's faithful care.

    Lyrics

    Stanza 1

    O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

    Stanza 2

    O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space. His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

    Stanza 3

    The earth with its store of wonders untold, Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old; Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree, And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

    Stanza 4

    Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

    Stanza 5

    Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

    History & Background

    British MP and Governor of Bombay Sir Robert Grant wrote this paraphrase of Psalm 104, based on William Kethe's 1561 metrical version. Published posthumously in 1839. The tune 'Lyons' is attributed to Johann Michael Haydn (brother of Joseph Haydn).

    Scripture Behind the Hymn

    Psalm 104:1-2

    "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain."
    Read in context

    Psalm 103:14

    "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."
    Read in context

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What psalm does this hymn paraphrase?

    Psalm 104, the great creation psalm. Grant followed the structure of William Kethe's 1561 Scottish Psalter version, freshening the language for the 19th century.

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