Come, Thou Almighty King

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.

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy Mighty sword,
Our prayer attend:
Come and Thy people bless,
And give Thy word success-
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.

Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear,
In this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart,
And ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

To the great One in Three
Eternal praises be,
Hence evermore:
His sovereign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.

Psalm 24: 9-10

This is one of our most popular "opening" hymns, yet little is knows about its background. It appeared anonymously in London about 1757 for use on Trinity Sunday. Originally, it was sung to the tune of the British national hymn, "God Save Our Gracious King." Today, however, that tune is used exclusively for our national hymn, "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and the "Italian Hymn" is used with "Come, Thou Almighty King."

An interesting account is told of this hymn's use during the time of the Revolutionary War. A group of British troops invaded an American church service one Sunday and demanded that the congregation sing "God Save Our Gracious King." The congregation responded with the requested tune but sang the words to "Come, Thou Almighty King" instead.