There was a moment when the lights went out
When death had claimed its victory
The King of love had given up His life
The darkest day in history
There on a cross, they made for sinners
For every curse, His blood atoned
One final breath and it was finished
But not the end we could have known
For the earth began to shake, and the veil was torn
What sacrifice was made, as the Heavens roared
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
There was a moment when the sky lit up
A flash of light breaking through
When all was lost He crossed eternity
The King of life was on the move
For in a dark, cold tomb, where our Lord was laid
One miraculous breath, and we're forever changed
And all hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
And all hail the Savior of the world
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
Let every knee, come bow before the King of Kings
Let every tongue, confess that He is Lord
Lift up your shout, let us join with all of Heaven
Singing Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho-Holy
We're singing Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho-Holy
Crying out Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho-Holy
Singing Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho-Holy
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
And all hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world!
All hail, King Jesus
All hail, King Jesus
All hail, King Jesus
All hail, King Jesus
And all hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
And all hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
And all hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of Heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
All Hail King Jesus
All Hail King Jesus Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on November 30, 2017, "All Hail King Jesus" by Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Gretzinger arrived as a potent anthem centering on the absolute sovereignty and authority of Christ. At its core, the song is a profound declaration of worship and surrender, born out of a deep wells of adoration for Jesus. It captures the essence of a spiritual revelation – encountering the overwhelming power and grace of God, and the only fitting response being to bow down and acknowledge His supreme rule over all things, both seen and unseen. The message isn't merely about acknowledging Jesus as a historical figure or a savior, but as the reigning monarch over creation, over darkness, over death, and crucially, over the listener's own life. It's a call to align oneself with the reality of His dominion, recognizing that He has already conquered, disarming the powers and authorities through His work on the cross, as described in Colossians 2:15.
The musical arrangement serves this majestic theme exceptionally well. It builds gradually, creating an atmosphere of reverence and anticipation, allowing the weight of the message to settle in. The instrumentation is rich yet measured, supporting the vocals without overpowering them. Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Gretzinger’s vocal performances are complementary, blending strength and vulnerability. Their delivery conveys genuine awe and conviction, drawing the listener into the experience of worship. The song reaches a climactic point where the collective voice declares Jesus's kingship, echoing the vision in Philippians 2:9-11, where it is proclaimed that God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This passage beautifully underpins the song's central call to "All Hail King Jesus."
Beyond a general sense of worship, the song speaks specifically to the power of Jesus's name and presence in overcoming the darkness that exists in the world and within individuals. It implicitly references the truth found in 1 John 4:4, which reminds believers that the One who is in them is greater than the one who is in the world. The song’s affirmation of Jesus's kingship serves as a bold declaration of victory over spiritual forces that seek to oppress or distract. It inspires a sense of hope and courage, rooting faith not in circumstances but in the unchanging truth of Christ’s reign. The act of hailing Him as King is not just a passive acknowledgment; it's an active response of faith, choosing to submit to His will and authority, trusting that His kingdom is advancing, bringing light where there is darkness, and freedom where there is bondage. This resonates with the call to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship, as outlined in Romans 12:1-2 – a practical outworking of hailing Him as King in everyday life. The song encourages a posture of humble adoration (Psalm 95:6), inviting people to enter into the presence of the King and experience the transformative power that comes from recognizing His ultimate rule. It’s a musical reminder that in every circumstance, the throne is occupied, and Jesus is indeed, King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).