Come, Thou Almighty King (Quick Thoughts on a Hymn)

The Bible tells us,“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…” (I Pet. 2:13-14). But the Christian also has allegiance to another kingdom. God’s Word says, “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:3). This raises the issue of a possible conflict between the two. And when they are in clear and significant conflict, the believer must always obey God.

For some in our world, this is more than a theoretical concept. Totalitarian governments and religious extremists persecute them for their love of Christ. Churches are often closed and religious observances forbidden. Christians are jailed, tortured, and even killed for their faith. This is happening in over 60 countries today, and we must not suppose it could never happen to us. The Bible says, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse” (II Tim. 3:12-13).

In 1757 a hymn was published in England entitled “Come, Thou Almighty King.” We do not know the author, and there may have been a good reason he withheld his name. A few years before, “God Save the King” had been written, an anthem extolling the British monarch. It is believed the hymn may have been composed as a spiritual counterbalance to it. Perhaps it was intended to be a reminder that our allegiance to God must always take precedence, if the two are in conflict. The hymn was originally sung to the tune of “God Save the King (or Queen).” And the two songs have several phrases in common, reinforcing the connection. The hymn says, “Come, Thou Almighty King, / Help us Thy name to sing, / Help us to praise: / Father, all glorious, / O’er all victorious, / Come and reign over us, / Ancient of Days.”