Anglican composer Robert Grant (1779-1838) was born and died in India—a country that by this time had long played a major role in the British Empire. He was a public servant distinguishing himself in law, serving as a member of Parliament, judge advocate general and governor of Bombay (now Mumbai). His father Charles was a leader in the evangelical wing of the Church of England and also played an active civic role with William Wilberforce in the emancipation of African slaves in the British Empire. Robert was born in India when his father went there to negotiate an end to barriers set up against missions by the British East India Company. The hymn was published posthumously in 1839 in Sacred Poems, a volume edited by Grant’s brother, Lord Glenelg. The hymn is based primarily on the rich imagery of Psalm 104:1-7¹.

O worship the King all glorious above,
and gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
his chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth, with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, your power has founded of old;
established it fast, by a changeless decree,
and round it has cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Your 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 distils in the dew and the rain.

We children of dust are feeble and frail –
in you do we trust, for you never fail;
your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end!
our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.

O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!

¹umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-worship-the-king

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This song written by Chris Eaton, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Kelly Minter, and Stuart Townend is based on Psalm 91, the well-known Psalm telling of God as our refuge and fortress, with whom we can fully trust in every circumstance. I have included the live version from the Sing! 2018 conference; enjoy!

My dwelling place is God Most High,
My refuge and my fortress.
When plague and pestilence draw nigh,
I’m hidden in His presence.
When terrors fall and arrows fly,
His shield will be my safety.
When stones across my pathway lie,
On angels’ wings I’m carried.

My dwelling place is God Most High,
A present help in danger.
I rest secure in Love’s pure light,
Beneath my Master’s favour.
He freed me from the fowler’s snare,
Where sin and shame had bound me.
Deceived I made my refuge there,
Till fearless He came for me.

Refrain
Wonderful, powerful, my hope and my defender,
Mighty God, Emmanuel, my dwelling place forever.

My dwelling place is God Most High,
I’ll never seek another.
For I am His and He is mine,
My heart He’ll keep forever.
I know the name on whom I call,
He promises to answer.
With life He satisfies my soul,
And crowns me with his pleasure.

Refrain

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This song, based on Psalm 93, is written by Matt Searles on his album “Psalms for Congregations, Vol 2”. Using the vocals of Sovereign Grace’s Lacy Hudson, he has written new songs to some melodies that are familiar to congregations. Although not on Youtube, you can listen to the song here.

Lord you reign in glorious light
Robed in majesty;
You uphold the earth and sky
From your ageless throne.

Your decrees are ever sure
Age to age they stand;
Holiness adorns your courts
Lord, for endless days.

Refrain
Ruler of the ocean deep
You command the raging seas.
Lord you are mighty.
Lord you are mighty.

Storms may come and floods may rise;
Be our refuge Lord most high.

Refrain

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