1 JESUS, my King, to thee I bow,
Enlisted under thy command;
Captain of my salvation, thou
Shalt lead me to the promised land.
2 Thou hast a great deliverance wrought,
The staff from off my shoulder broke,
Out of the house of bondage brought,
And freed me from the Egyptian yoke.
3 O'er the vast howling wilderness,
To Canaan's bounds thou hast me led;
Thou bidd'st me now the land possess,
And on thy milk and honey feed.
4 I see an open door of hope,
Legions of sins in vain oppose;
Bold I with thee, my Head, march up,
And triumph o'er a world of foes.
5 Gigantic lusts come forth to fight,
I mark, disdain, and all break through,
I tread them down in Jesu's might,
Through Jesus I can all things do.
6 Lo! the tall sons of Anak rise!
Who can the sons of Anak meet?
Captain, to thee I lift mine eyes,
And, lo! they fall beneath my feet.
7 Passion, and appetite, and pride,
(Pride, my old, dreadful, tyrant-foe)
I see cast down on every side,
And conquering, I to conquer go.
8 My Lord in my behalf appears;
Captain, thy strength-inspiring eye
Scatters my doubts, dispels my fears,
And makes the host of aliens fly.
9 Who can before my Captain stand?
Who is so great a King as mine?
High over all is thy right hand,
And might and majesty are thine!
Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow Video
Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow" is a powerful hymn written by Charles Wesley, one of the greatest hymn writers in Christian history. This hymn speaks of our complete surrender to Jesus as our King and Captain, and the victory we have in Him.
I. Understanding the Meaning of "Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow":
The lyrics of this hymn are filled with deep spiritual truths and expressions of devotion. Let's break down the meaning behind each verse:
1. Acknowledging Jesus as King:
The opening line, "Jesus, my King, to thee I bow," sets the tone for the entire song. It signifies the surrender of our lives to Jesus as our ultimate authority and ruler. By acknowledging Jesus as our King, we submit ourselves to His lordship and guidance.
2. Deliverance and Freedom in Christ:
The second verse speaks of the deliverance and freedom we experience through Jesus. It references the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, symbolizing our liberation from sin and bondage. Jesus, like Moses, leads us out of the "house of bondage" and sets us free.
3. Possessing the Promised Land:
Continuing the imagery from the Israelites' journey, the third verse refers to entering the Promised Land. In the Christian context, it represents the abundant life and blessings that Jesus has prepared for His followers. By trusting in Him, we can enter into the fullness of His promises.
4. Overcoming Obstacles:
The fourth verse emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus as our Captain. It acknowledges that challenges and temptations may arise, but with Jesus as our leader, we can overcome them. This verse echoes the apostle Paul's words in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
5. Victory in Jesus:
The fifth verse highlights the victorious nature of our journey with Jesus. It portrays Jesus as the conqueror of our enemies, including sin, lust, and pride. Through His strength, we can triumph over every obstacle and experience true victory in our Christian walk.
6. Conquering Giants:
The sixth verse employs the imagery of the biblical story of the Israelite spies encountering the sons of Anak (giants) in Canaan. It symbolizes the challenges and obstacles we face in our lives. However, with Jesus as our Captain, we can courageously face these giants and see them fall before us.
7. Overcoming Sin:
The seventh verse speaks of the defeat of our inner enemies, such as passion, appetite, and pride. It acknowledges that these forces may arise, but through Jesus, we can overcome them. This verse echoes the apostle Paul's words in Romans 8:37, "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
8. Trusting in Jesus' Strength:
The eighth verse emphasizes the strength and power of Jesus. It highlights His ability to scatter our doubts and fears, and it assures us that He will conquer any opposition we may face. This verse reminds us that Jesus is not only our Captain but also our source of strength and inspiration.
9. Exalting Jesus as the Greatest King:
In the final verse, we exalt Jesus as the greatest King, acknowledging His authority and majesty. It reminds us that Jesus reigns supreme over all things, and we can trust in His ability to overcome any situation we encounter.
II. The Inspiration and Story Behind the Hymn:
Wesley's hymns were often inspired by his personal experiences, biblical teachings, and his desire to lead others into a closer relationship with God.
Charles Wesley, along with his brother John Wesley, played a significant role in the Methodist movement. Their hymns served as a means to teach theology, inspire worship, and encourage personal devotion. The hymn "Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow" is a powerful example of Charles Wesley's ability to capture profound spiritual truths in poetic form.
III. Bible Verses Related to "Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow":
The lyrics of this hymn are rooted in biblical truths and draw from various passages throughout the Bible. Here are some key verses that relate to the themes presented in the song:
1. Matthew 2:2 - "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
2. Galatians 5:1 - "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
3. Joshua 24:15 - "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
4. 1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
5. 1 Samuel 17:45 - "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'"
Conclusion:
"Jesus, My King, To Thee I Bow" is a powerful hymn that invites us to surrender our lives to Jesus as our King and Captain. Through its lyrics, we are reminded of the deliverance, freedom, and victory we have in Christ. This hymn encourages us to trust in Jesus' strength, overcome obstacles, and walk in the fullness of His promises. May this song continue to inspire and uplift the hearts of believers as they bow before their King and conquer through Him.
