Rejoice the Lord is King
Rejoice, the Lord is King
This hymn expresses the Reformation certainty of Christ's present reign at God's right hand and the Christian's resurrection hope grounded in His victory. It combines objective Christological affirmation with subjective Christian joy, reflecting Lutheran emphasis on Christ's ascended kingship and present intercession.
History & Background
Charles Wesley wrote this triumphant hymn in 1744, published in Hymns and Sacred Poems. It became one of his most enduring works celebrating Christ's ascended kingship and the believer's participation in His victory.
Charles Wesley wrote this text for Easter and Scripture References Ascension in six stanzas. First published in John Wesley’s Moral st. 2 = Rev. 1:18 and Sacred Poems (1744), the text was also published in Charles st. 3 = Acts 5:31 Wesley’s Hymnsfor our Lord’s Resurrection (1746). The original Heb. 1:3 stanzas 2 and 5 are not included. st. 4=1 Cor. 15:52 The text rejoices in the kingship of Christ (st. 1) whose rule 1 Thess. 4:16 extends “o’er earth and heaven” (st. 2). All will bow the knee to Rev. 20:11-15 Christ (st. 3) when he returns in glory to judge “the living and ref. = Phil. 4:4 the dead” (st. 4). The refrain line based on Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice,” is the keynote of the entire text.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 230
- Chalice Hymnal — 699
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 254
- Glory to God — 363
- The Hymnal 1982 — 481
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 171
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 170
- Lutheran Worship — 179
- New Century Hymnal — 303
- Psalter Hymnal — 408
- Trinity Hymnal — 310
- United Methodist Hymnal — 715
- Voices Together — 598
Liturgical Use
Ascension; Easter; a great hymn of praise suitable for any worship service (fits well with the royal psalms in the Old Testament); funeral or memorial service.
Bulletin Note
Charles Wesley (1744) wrote this affirmation of Christ's ascended kingship—a signature Methodist-Reformed conviction about present grace. The refrain 'Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice' lifts the Gospel into joyful, muscular song.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's answer to human fear and the Law's accusation: Christ's ascended kingship means His people already possess eternal security and righteous standing through grace alone.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From present rejoicing in Christ's kingship, through His redemptive work and current reign, to eschatological hope in His return and judgment
Themes
Christ's kingship and reign Resurrection joy Heavenly victory Christian assurance Eschatological hope