Jesus Shall Reign

Jesus Shall Reign

Text written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Sung to DUKE STREET, composed by John Hatton (? -1793)

Psalm 72:8-20

Rule from sea to sea, from the River to the Rim.

Foes will fall on their knees before God, his enemies lick the dust.

Kings remote and legendary will pay homage, kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.

All kings will fall down and worship, and godless nations sign up to serve him,

Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need, the destitute who have run out of luck.

He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out, he restores the wretched of the earth.

He frees them from tyranny and torture—when they bleed, he bleeds; when they die, he dies.

And live! Oh, let him live! Deck him out in Sheba gold.

Offer prayers unceasing to him, bless him from morning to night.

Fields of golden grain in the land, cresting the mountains in wild exuberance,

Cornucopias of praise, praises springing from the city like grass from the earth.

May he never be forgotten, his fame shine on like sunshine.

May all godless people enter his circle of blessing and bless the One who blessed them.

Blessed God, Israel’s God, the one and only wonder-working God!

Blessed always his blazing glory!

All earth brims with his glory.

Yes and Yes and Yes.

V. 1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

Does its successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

V. 2 People and realms of every tongue

Dwell on His love with sweetest song;

And infant voices shall proclaim

Their earthly blessings on His name.

V. 3 Blessings abound where'er He reigns:

The pris'ners leap to lose their chains,

The weary find eternal rest,

And all who suffer want are blest.

V. 4 Let every creature rise and bring

Honors peculiar to our King;

Angels descend with songs again,

And earth repeat the loud amen.