Come, Thou Almighty King
Come, Thou Almighty King is a hymn text by Anonymous (1757) in 6.6.4.6.6.6.4 meter. Found in bh08 10, ch95 27, elw 816, gtg 2. Sung to ITALIAN HYMN.
The hymn presents a carefully balanced trinitarian doxology addressing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in succession, reflecting classical Christian theology central to Lutheran confessionalism. Its petition for the Spirit's power demonstrates the Lutheran emphasis on divine grace working through the means of grace.
History & Background
First published anonymously in Hymns and Sacred Poems (1757), this hymn became widely used in English-speaking Protestantism. Its authorship has been traditionally attributed to various authors but remains definitively unknown.
The anonymous text dates from before 1757, when it was pubScripture References lished in a leaflet and bound into the 1757 edition of George st. 3 =John 15:26 Whitefield’s Collection ofHymnsfor Social Worship. The text appears to be patterned after the British national anthem, “God Save the King.” Filled with names for members of the Godhead, this song exhibits a common trinitarian structure, addressing God the Father (st. 1), God the Son (st. 2), and God the Holy Spirit (st. 3), concluding with a doxology to the Trinity (st. 4). The text has often been attributed to Charles Wesley, since the leaflet also included a hymn text from his pen (Jesus, Let Thy Pitying Eye”); however, “Come, Thou Almighty King” was never printed in any of the Wesley hymnals, and no other Wesley text is written in such an unusual meter.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 10
- Chalice Hymnal — 27
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 816
- Glory to God — 2
- The Hymnal 1982 — 365
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 522
- Lutheran Service Book — 905
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 503
- Lutheran Worship — 169
- New Century Hymnal — 275
- Psalter Hymnal — 1
- Trinity Hymnal — 101
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 239
- United Methodist Hymnal — 61
- Voices Together — 62
Liturgical Use
Beginning of worship; as a doxology (st. 4).
Bulletin Note
Anonymous eighteenth-century hymn set to the ITALIAN HYMN tune. A masterpiece of trinitarian doxology grounded in classical Christian theology and the Lutheran confession of God's threefold grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's movement from invoking divine majesty to petitioning the Spirit's power embodies the Law-Gospel dynamic: we are confronted with God's almighty rule, then invited to receive His gracious presence as our sanctifier.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (divine majesty and power) → Gospel (petition for Spirit's grace, redemption, and indwelling presence) → Doxology (Trinitarian unity and mercy)
Overview
An anonymous 18th-century Trinitarian hymn, written to the meter of 'God Save the King' — possibly as a Christian answer to the anthem. It invokes the Father as almighty King (st. 1), the Son as incarnate Word (st. 2), the Spirit as Comforter (st. 3), and the Trinity (st. 4). Each stanza is a prayer for the Person's coming and action.
Central theme: Invocation of each person of the Trinity to come, rule, bless, and abide
Structure
Father (1); Son (2); Spirit (3); Trinity (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel prayer.
Confessional Connections
Athanasian Creed: each Person almighty, yet one Almighty.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Holy Trinity; opening hymn.
Historical Notes
First printed c. 1757 with Charles Wesley's hymns, though not by him.
About the Tune
ITALIAN HYMN (Felice de Giardini, 1769) — written specifically for this text.
Scripture References
Dan 7:9 John 1:14 Ps 45:3 Eph 6:17 John 14:16, 26 John 15:26 1 John 3:2
Stanza by Stanza
The almighty King is asked to help us praise him; the glorious, victorious Father, Ancient of Days, is asked to come and reign over us.
The Father as King and 'Ancient of Days' (Dan 7:9, 13, 22). 'Help us Thy name to sing' — even praise requires God's help (Ps 51:15). 'Come and reign over us' — a petition like 'Thy kingdom come.'
- Scripture
- Dan 7:9, Ps 51:15, Matt 6:10, Ps 47:7-8
- Imagery & language
- King; Ancient of Days.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology/prayer.
- Connection to previous
- Invocation of the Father.
The incarnate Word is asked to take up his mighty sword, hear prayer, bless his people, give success to the Word, and establish righteousness, Savior and Friend.
'Incarnate Word' (John 1:14). 'Gird on Thy mighty sword' (Ps 45:3; Rev 19:15) — the sword is the Word (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12). 'Give Thy Word success' — prayer for the effective preaching of the Gospel (2 Thess 3:1; Isa 55:11). 'Stablish Thy righteousness' — Christ's righteousness given to sinners (Rom 3:21-22). 'Savior and Friend' (John 15:15).
- Scripture
- John 1:14, Ps 45:3, Rev 19:15, Eph 6:17, 2 Thess 3:1, Isa 55:11, Rom 3:21-22, John 15:15
- Imagery & language
- Sword; Word; Friend.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word's success.
- Connection to previous
- Invocation of the Son.
The holy Comforter is asked to bear witness in this hour; the almighty Spirit is asked to rule every heart and never leave us.
'Comforter' (John 14:16, 26). 'Thy sacred witness bear' — the Spirit testifies to Christ (John 15:26; Rom 8:16). 'Thou, who almighty art' — the Spirit is fully God. 'Ne'er from us depart' (John 14:16, 'to be with you forever'; Ps 51:11).
- Scripture
- John 14:16, 26, John 15:26, Rom 8:16, Ps 51:11
- Imagery & language
- Witness; power; ruling hearts.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's abiding.
- Connection to previous
- Invocation of the Spirit.
Eternal praise to the triune God; may we see his majesty in glory and love and adore him forever.
Doxology with eschatological hope: 'May we in glory see' (1 John 3:2; Rev 22:4). Seeing God is the goal of human life (the beatific vision).
- Scripture
- 1 John 3:2, Rev 22:4, Matt 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Doxology; vision.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Concluding doxology.
Themes
Trinitarian praise Divine majesty and power Invocation of the Godhead Petition for grace and strength