Rejoice the Lord is king!

Early Methodists were persecuted and lived lives of hardship. Charles Wesley, who with his brother John started the Methodist movement, wanted to encourage his followers. He wanted them to be a singing, joyful people and not get discouraged and lose hope.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians gave Wesley the text for “Rejoice, the Lord Is King.” Although Paul was imprisoned when he wrote this letter, he wrote a message of joy and encouragement, stating “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” – Songsandhymns dot org

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Lyrics

Words by Charles Wesley, Mor­al and Sac­red Po­ems, 1744.

   1 Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
   Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
   Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
   Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
   
   2 Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
   When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
   Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
   Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
   
   3 His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o'er earth and Heav'n,
   The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv'n;
   Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
   Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
   
   4 He sits at God's right hand till all His foes submit,
   And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
   Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
   Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
   
   5 He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
   And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
   Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
   Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
   
   6 Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
   And take His servants up to their eternal home.
   We soon shall hear th'archangel's voice;
   The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!