|
Hymn of the Day
Rejoice, for Christ is King! (ELW 430)
“Rejoice, for Christ Is King!” (found as ELW 430 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, commonly known as “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”) is a triumphant hymn of faith written by Charles Wesley in 1744. It was crafted to celebrate Christ’s sovereignty and resurrection, serving as a message of resilience to early Methodists facing persecution.
Origin and Historical Background
Context of Persecution (1740s): Charles Wesley and his brother John often faced violent opposition, mobs, and harassment while preaching in England. This hymn was written to encourage believers to maintain joy in Christ, regardless of their outward circumstances.
Easter and Resurrection: Originally titled "Hymn for Our Lord’s Resurrection" and published in 1746, it was designed to celebrate the Ascension and Jesus as the ruler over death and hell.
Scriptural Inspiration: The refrain is directly inspired by Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice". The verses are inspired by 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (victory over death) and the Ascension.
From Persecution to Triumph
The hymn highlights that the Apostle Paul wrote his call to rejoice from a prison cell, and similarly, Wesley sought to bring joyful singing out of hardship.
Text Evolution: The hymn originally had six stanzas in its 1744 publication in Moral and Sacred Poems. Modern hymnals, including the ELW, often use a selection of these to highlight the core message of Christ's reigning power.
The Refrain: The famous refrain—"Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!"—reflects the Sursum corda ("Lift up your hearts"), a prayer from the earliest Christian liturgies, blending deep emotion with focused faith.
Musical Background
Original Tune: George Frideric Handel, a friend of Charles Wesley, wrote a tune for this text around 1750.
Common Tune (Darwall): Today, it is most commonly sung to DARWALL (or Darwall’s 148th), composed by John Darwall in 1770 specifically for Psalm 148.
ELW 430 Usage: In Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the text is often paired with LAUS REGIS by William E. Fischer (1849–1936), or the traditional Darwall tune.
Key Themes and Impact
Christ as Ruler: It emphasizes that Jesus is not just Savior, but the actively reigning King over heaven and earth.
Eschatological Hope: The hymn looks forward to the second coming and final victory when all enemies will be subdued.
Unshakeable Joy: The central message is that because Christ is King, believers can "triumph evermore" even during difficult times.
ELW 430 Stanzas (Commonly Used)
1. Rejoice, for Christ is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, And triumph evermore:
Refrain: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
2. Our Savior, Jesus reigns, The God of truth and love;
When he had purged our stains, He took his seat above: [Refrain]
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: [Refrain]
4. Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord and judge shall come
And take his servants up To their eternal home: [Refrain]
| 
