Jesus Shall Reign – Hymn Lyric
In a world plagued by division and inequality, the hymn “Jesus Shall Reign” offers hope and unity. It celebrates the universal reign of Jesus Christ and the transformative power of His love, bringing blessings, liberation, and peace to all nations and individuals. The hymn inspires us to join in proclaiming His name and creating a world where His kingdom of love and peace becomes a reality for everyone.
Table of Contents
Jesus Shall Reign – Hymn Lyric
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
Behold the islands with their kings,
And Europe her best tribute brings;
From north to south the princes meet,
To pay their homage at His feet.
There Persia, glorious to behold,
There India shines in eastern gold;
And barb’rous nations at His word
Submit, and bow, and own their Lord.
To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises thong to crown His head;
His Name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.
Blessings abound wherever He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blessed.
Where He displays His healing power,
Death and the curse are known no more:
In Him the tribes of Adam boast
More blessings than their father lost.
Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen!
Great God, whose universal sway
The known and unknown worlds obey,
Now give the kingdom to Thy Son,
Extend His power, exalt His throne.
The scepter well becomes His hands;
All Heav’n submits to His commands;
His justice shall avenge the poor,
And pride and rage prevail no more.
With power He vindicates the just,
And treads th’oppressor in the dust:
His worship and His fear shall last
Till hours, and years, and time be past.
As rain on meadows newly mown,
So shall He send his influence down:
His grace on fainting souls distills,
Like heav’nly dew on thirsty hills.
The heathen lands, that lie beneath
The shades of overspreading death,
Revive at His first dawning light;
And deserts blossom at the sight.
The saints shall flourish in His days,
Dressed in the robes of joy and praise;
Peace, like a river, from His throne
Shall flow to nations yet unknown.
Meaning of Jesus Shall Reign
Jesus Shall Reign: The Universal Kingdom of Love and Peace
In a world plagued by division, conflict, and inequality, the hymn “Jesus Shall Reign” offers a message of hope and unity. Written by Isaac Watts in the 18th century, this timeless hymn celebrates the universal reign of Jesus Christ and the transformative power of His love.
As the hymn states, Jesus shall reign wherever the sun does his successive journeys run. This imagery invokes a sense of the vastness and inclusiveness of His kingdom. It extends from shore to shore, encompassing every corner of the earth. It is a kingdom not limited to any particular race, nation, or social status, but one that welcomes all.
The hymn further proclaims that even the most powerful leaders of the world, represented by kings from different islands and Europe, bow down before Jesus and offer their tribute. This illustrates that true power and authority flow from the divine source of Jesus’ reign.
Persia and India, depicted as glorious and shining in eastern gold, are cited as examples of nations submitting to His word. It emphasizes that even the most distant and “barbarous” nations recognize Jesus as their Lord and surrender to His authority. This suggests that there is no place on earth untouched by His love and grace.
The hymn also speaks of the endless prayers and praises that crown Jesus’ head. His name is described as rising like sweet perfume with every morning sacrifice. This imagery conveys a sense of continuous worship and adoration offered to Him by people of all tongues and nations. It reminds us that Jesus is not confined to a specific language or cultural context, but His love transcends all barriers.
The hymn then shifts its focus to the blessings that come with Jesus’ reign. It states that blessings abound wherever He reigns. It is an affirmation that His presence brings freedom and liberation to those who are held captive. The image of a prisoner leaping to lose his chains symbolizes the release from physical, emotional, and spiritual bondage that Jesus offers.
Moreover, Jesus offers eternal rest to the weary, and the sons of want, the disadvantaged and impoverished, find their needs met and their lives enriched. This speaks to Jesus’ compassion and care for those who are marginalized and overlooked by society. His kingdom is a place of comfort and provision for all.
The hymn goes on to describe the transformative power of Jesus’ healing. In His presence, death and the curse are known no more. The reference to the tribes of Adam boasting more blessings than their father lost reminds us of the redemption and restoration Jesus offers. His love breaks the cycle of sin and death and brings abundant blessings to humanity.
Furthermore, the hymn emphasizes that Jesus’ reign extends beyond humanity to all of creation. Every creature is called to rise and offer peculiar honors to the King. This speaks to the interconnectedness of all living beings and the call to honor and steward God’s creation.
The hymn envisions angels descending with songs and earth joining in the loud amen. This image not only represents the harmony between the heavenly and earthly realms but also highlights the unity that comes from recognizing Jesus as the ruler of all.
With the universal sway of His kingdom, Jesus brings peace, justice, and a renewed sense of purpose. He reigns with a scepter that symbolizes His authority and power. In His hands, justice prevails, and the oppressed are vindicated. Pride and rage have no place in His kingdom. Instead, His reign is marked by love, compassion, and humility.
This hymn reminds us that Jesus’ reign not only brings blessings in the spiritual realm but also has tangible effects in the physical world. Like rain on meadows, His influence descends, bringing grace to fainting souls. It is a replenishing and life-giving force, quenching the thirst of weary hearts.
The imagery of deserts blossoming and heathen lands reviving alludes to the transformative power of Jesus’ love. It brings life to barren places and illuminates the darkest corners. His reign has the power to bring hope and restoration to places plagued by despair and death.
In the days of His reign, the hymn proclaims that the saints shall flourish, dressed in robes of joy and praise. This speaks to the abundant life that Jesus offers His followers. It is a life filled with peace, purpose, and the joy of knowing His love.
Lastly, the hymn concludes with the image of peace flowing like a river from Jesus’ throne to nations yet unknown. This paints a picture of a future where the world is united under the banner of love and peace. It is a vision of a kingdom where differences are embraced and harmony prevails.
In conclusion, the hymn “Jesus Shall Reign” presents a vision of a universal kingdom where Jesus’ love transcends all boundaries and brings unity, peace, and blessings to all. It inspires us to believe in the transformative power of His reign and to join in proclaiming His name and offering Him our worship. May we all strive to create a world where Jesus’ kingdom of love and peace becomes a reality for every person and every nation.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
