Verse 1
Oh gather around the throne of grace
And sing His victory song
Our King rode forth to bloody war
And now He has come home
He crushed the mighty dragon
He broke his cruel reign
He broke the shackles of our sins
And freed us from our chains
Chorus
Let every tongue and every tribe
Sing praises, praises
Let all creation magnify Your glorious name
Forever is not long enough
To sing of all You have done
Be praised by every tribe and every tongue
Verse 2
Oh look around and see the saints
All trophies of His grace
And to the Victor go the spoils
Our hearts, our lives, our praise
Take pleasure when You look on
The fruit of all Your pain
Enjoy Your glory formed in us
You suffered not in vain
Every Tongue
Every Tongue Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "Every Tongue" by Sovereign Grace Music, released on December 10, 2019, is a powerful anthem celebrating the completed work of Christ and the resulting call for universal worship. It immediately sets a tone of triumph, drawing listeners to a place of reverence and awe before the "throne of grace." The opening verse employs vivid battle imagery, portraying Christ as a conquering King who engaged in a "bloody war" against formidable spiritual foes. This language directly points to Christ's victory over Satan, often depicted biblically as a dragon, and His decisive triumph over the power of sin. By breaking the "cruel reign" of the dragon and the "shackles of our sins," the song highlights the liberation and freedom secured for believers through Christ's death and resurrection.
The chorus serves as the central declaration, expanding the vision of praise from a select group to a global multitude. The call for "every tongue and every tribe" to sing praises echoes the prophetic vision found in scripture, particularly in Revelation 5:9 and 7:9, which depicts redeemed people from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and the Lamb, offering worship. This section emphasizes the vast scope of God's redemptive plan and the unity of believers across diverse backgrounds in magnifying His name. The recognition that "forever is not long enough" to adequately praise God for His deeds underscores the infinite magnitude of His grace and accomplishments.
Building upon the theme of victory, the second verse focuses on the redeemed community itself as tangible evidence of Christ's triumph. The "saints" are described as "trophies of His grace," the visible "spoils" taken from the enemy in this spiritual warfare. The song portrays believers' transformed hearts, lives, and praise as offerings to the Victor, a willing surrender resulting from redemption. It beautifully expresses the idea that God takes pleasure in the fruit of His suffering – the Church – finding joy in His own "glory formed in us." This aligns with scriptures like Isaiah 53:11, which speaks of Christ being satisfied with the result of His travail, and Ephesians 2:10, which speaks of believers being His workmanship. The verse confirms that Christ's suffering was not in vain, as it produced a redeemed people for His own glory.
Ultimately, "Every Tongue" is a song that calls the global church to recognize the completed victory of Christ and to respond with unified, passionate praise. It paints a picture of believers gathered from all corners of the earth, united by grace, celebrating their freedom from sin and Satan's power, and offering their lives as living testimonies to God's work. The song’s message is both deeply personal, acknowledging the freedom granted to individuals, and grandly corporate, looking forward to the ultimate gathering of all nations before the throne. It inspires listeners to participate in the ongoing, eternal song of praise that recognizes Christ's supremacy and the glorious outcome of His sacrifice and resurrection.
