1 THEE, O my God and King,
My Father, thee I sing!
Hear, well-pleased, the joyous sound,
Praise from earth and heaven receive;
Lost, I now in Christ am found,
Dead, by faith in Christ I live.
2 Father, behold thy son,
In Christ I am thy own;
Stranger long to thee, and rest,
See the prodigal is come:
Open wide thine arms and breast,
Take the weary wanderer home.
3 Thine eye observed from far,
Thy pity looked me near;
Me thy bowels yearned to see,
Me thy mercy ran to find,
Empty, poor, and void of thee,
Hungry, sick, and faint, and blind.
4 Thou on my neck didst fall,
Thy kiss forgave me all:
Still thy gracious words I hear,
Words that made the Saviour mine,
"Haste, for him the robe prepare,
His be righteousness divine!"
Thee, O My God And King
Thee, O My God And King Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Thee, O my God And King" is a profound hymn penned by Charles Wesley, one of the most prolific and influential hymn writers in Christian history. Emerging from the vibrant landscape of 18th-century Methodism, Wesley's hymns were central to expressing and shaping the spiritual experiences of the movement. This particular text captures a deeply personal and transformative encounter with the divine, moving from a state of alienation to one of joyous reconciliation and belonging. Its enduring power lies in its heartfelt language and its vivid portrayal of key Christian doctrines, making it a staple in various worship traditions across centuries and continents. While a hymn from the 1700s, its message remains relevant, demonstrated by continued interest and modern presentations, such as a song video released on May 6, 2008, showcasing its ongoing impact.
The core of the hymn unfolds as a personal testimony addressed directly to God, acknowledging Him as both sovereign King and intimate Father. The opening stanza sets a tone of praise and adoration, reflecting gratitude for salvation. The worshipper identifies a past state of being "lost" and "dead," contrasted with the present reality of being "found" and alive through faith in Christ. This transformation is presented not as a result of human effort but as a divine work received with a "well-pleased" welcome by God.
The second and third stanzas employ the powerful and relatable imagery of the Prodigal Son parable from Luke 15. The speaker identifies as the "prodigal," who has long been a "stranger" to God and true rest. Coming home, weary and in need, the speaker finds God's welcoming gaze observing from afar. This divine "pity" draws near, and God's "bowels yearned" with compassion, actively seeking out the one who was empty, poor, hungry, sick, faint, and blind without Him. The language here is rich with emotional depth, portraying God's proactive love and mercy running to meet the returning soul.
The final stanza describes the climactic moment of reconciliation, mirroring the father's embrace in the parable. God falls on the neck of the returning wanderer, and His "kiss forgave me all." This embrace signifies complete pardon and acceptance. The hymn then connects this forgiveness directly to being clothed in divine righteousness, referencing the command to "Haste, for him the robe prepare." This resonates with biblical themes of being clothed in Christ's righteousness (Galatians 3:27, Isaiah 61:10), which is a central aspect of justification by faith. The "gracious words" heard are those that confirm salvation and belonging, making the Saviour the worshipper's own. The hymn concludes with a sense of secure identity as a beloved son, fully restored and made righteous in God's sight through Christ.
