O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!
He is Worthy • The Glorious Christ Live
O Worship The King All Glorious Above Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "O Worship The King All Glorious Above," performed by West Coast Baptist College as featured on their album "He is Worthy • The Glorious Christ Live," released on March 10, 2020, is a powerful declaration of praise centered on the majesty and character of God. This recording presents a rendition of a classic hymn text, inviting listeners to join in a collective act of adoration towards the divine King. The performance serves to bring this enduring expression of worship into a contemporary setting, capturing the spirit of live worship.
The lyrical journey begins with a direct call to worship, urging gratitude for God's power and love. It immediately establishes God's identity as the ultimate protector and eternal presence, described vividly as "pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise." This opening stanza sets a tone of reverence, acknowledging God's supreme glory and inherent worthiness of all honor and praise. The imagery paints a picture of a King whose very being is surrounded by brilliance and upheld by the worship of His creation.
Moving deeper into the attributes of God, the lyrics speak of His might and grace, using cosmic metaphors to illustrate His nature. God's "robe is the light," and His "canopy space," portraying Him as the source and sustainer of the universe. Even the powerful forces of nature, like thunderstorms, are described as being under His command, forming His "chariots of wrath." This portrayal emphasizes God's absolute control over all creation, from the vastness of space to the elemental power of a storm, reinforcing the theme of His immeasurable might.
The hymn then turns to God's provision and care, highlighting His "bountiful care" that is ever-present and evident throughout the natural world. It "breathes in the air," "shines in the light," "streams from the hills," and "descends to the plain," manifesting in the gentle dew and nourishing rain. This section contrasts God's grand power over cosmic and meteorological forces with His intimate, detailed attention to providing for His creation, showcasing the breadth of His involvement and goodness in the world He made.
Acknowledging the human condition, the fourth stanza describes humanity as "frail children of dust, and feeble as frail." Despite this inherent weakness, the lyrics express profound trust in God, who is unfailing. It emphasizes God's "tender" mercies, which are also steadfast and "firm to the end." This stanza beautifully encapsulates the believer's reliance on God, identifying Him in multiple essential roles: "our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend," illustrating the multifaceted nature of His relationship with humanity and the depth of His saving grace.
The concluding stanza returns to the theme of God's unparalleled nature, declaring His "O measureless Might, unchangeable Love." It speaks of the delight angels find in worshipping Him above, and the anticipation of "ransomed creation, with glory ablaze," joining in "true adoration" to sing His praise. This final expression anticipates the ultimate fulfillment of worship, where all who have been redeemed will fully reflect God's glory and join in unending praise, bringing the hymn to a triumphant close focused on eternal worship.
Historically, the text of this hymn was written by Sir Robert Grant in 1833, drawing significant inspiration from Psalm 104. Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise that focuses on God as the Creator and Sustainer of the world, detailing His works in nature and His provision for all living things, aligning closely with the themes explored in the hymn's stanzas describing God's power in creation and His bountiful care. The West Coast Baptist College performance presents this historical text with a musical arrangement that resonates with contemporary audiences, often characterized by strong vocals and orchestral elements common in live worship recordings, effectively bridging generations through timeless truth.
The enduring relevance of this hymn, and its presentation by West Coast Baptist College, lies in its comprehensive portrayal of God's character – His power, love, creation, care, mercy, and redemptive work. It serves as a powerful reminder of why God alone is worthy of ultimate worship. The song encourages listeners to reflect on God's greatness evident in the universe and His specific kindness shown towards humanity, inspiring a response of grateful adoration and trust in the one true King, making it a cherished piece for personal reflection and corporate worship.
