Lyrics
Verse 1
Tell it to every kindred and nation,
Tell it far and near;
Earth’s darkest night will fade with the dawning,
Jesus will soon appear.
Chorus
Hail Him the King of glory,
Once the Lamb for sinners slain;
Tell, tell the wondrous story,
Jesus comes to reign.
Verse 2
Nations again in strife and commotion,
Warnings by the way;
Signs in the heavens, unerring omens,
Herald the glorious day.
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 3
Children of God look up with rejoicing;
Shout and sing His praise;
Blessèd are they who, waiting and watching,
Look for the dawning rays.
(Repeat Chorus)
Outro
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Hail Him The King of Glory is a hymn-style song about telling the world that Jesus is coming to reign. The first stanza calls listeners to tell every kindred and nation, far and near, that the darkest night of the earth will fade with the dawning and that Jesus will soon appear. The refrain says to hail Him the King of glory, once the Lamb slain for sinners, and to tell the wondrous story that Jesus comes to reign.
The second stanza describes nations in strife and commotion, warnings and signs in the heavens heralding the glorious day, and the third calls the children of God to look up with rejoicing, shout and sing His praise, and watch for the dawning rays. A closing section asks who this King of glory is and answers that He is the Lord strong and mighty, mighty in battle. The themes follow Psalm 24:8, Luke 21:25-28 and Revelation 5:12. The marching refrain gives it a bright, hopeful tone.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 24:8 The King of glory is the Lord strong and mighty, mighty in battle.
- Luke 21:25-28 Jesus describes signs in the heavens and tells His followers to look up because redemption is near.
- Revelation 5:12 The Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive power, riches and honor.