Rejoice, the Lord is King!

“Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” was written by Charles Wesley in 1744 and published in his Moral and Sacred Poems. It is one of Wesley’s many powerful hymns that combine doctrinal depth with vibrant praise. The text is based on the apostle Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:4, calling believers to rejoice in the Lord continually. For Wesley, this joy is rooted in the triumph and kingship of Christ, who rules with justice and grace.

The hymn progresses through themes of Christ’s sovereignty, resurrection, and second coming. Each stanza declares that Jesus reigns over heaven and earth, urging the church to lift up their hearts in worship. The repeated refrain, “Lift up your heart, lift up your voice, rejoice, again I say, rejoice,” gives the hymn a triumphant and celebratory tone. This refrain not only echoes Paul’s words but also functions as a communal call to worship, binding together the congregation in shared praise.

Historically, “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” has been sung to several tunes, with John Darwall’s tune “Darwall’s 148th” being the most enduring. The majestic melody pairs perfectly with Wesley’s stirring text, making it suitable for festive services such as Easter, Ascension, and Christ the King celebrations. The hymn proclaims that the believer’s joy is unshaken because it rests in Christ’s eternal reign. Over the centuries, it has encouraged Christians to look beyond earthly struggles and rejoice in the unchanging truth that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.