I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the old hymns.
Today’s song is ’Tis the Church Triumphant Singing from 1803
’Tis the Church triumphant singing,
Worthy the Lamb;
Heav’n throughout with praises ringing,
Worthy the Lamb.
Thrones and pow’rs before Him bending,
Odors sweet with voice ascending
Swell the chorus never ending,
Worthy the Lamb.
Every kindred, tongue and nation,
Worthy the Lamb;
Join to sing the great salvation,
Worthy the Lamb.
Loud as mighty thunders roaring,
Floods of mighty waters pouring,
Prostrate at His feet adoring,
Worthy the Lamb.
Harps and songs forever sounding,
Worthy the Lamb;
Mighty grace o’er sin abounding,
Worthy the Lamb.
By His blood He dearly bought us;
Wand’ring from the fold He sought us,
And to glory safely brought us;
Worthy the Lamb.
Sing with blest anticipation
Worthy the Lamb;
Through the vale of tribulation,
Worthy the Lamb.
Sweetest notes, all notes excelling,
On the theme forever dwelling,
Still untold, though ever telling,
Worthy the Lamb.
I must have sung this one millions of times in years gone by – well maybe not millions, but lots 😀.
I remember the tune from childhood. We learnt a song called All Through the Night in School – with the same Welsh folk tune. The hymn was written by John Kent, an English ship builder and repairer.
This, like many hymns, is based on a passage from the Book of Revelation. Many get very puzzled by that book, but for me, I focus on the broader message of the ultimate triumph of Christ. I’m sure I’ve investigated the details about the end times, but I instinctively focus on its general flavour, and I suspect that the intention of the book isn’t to spell everything out, but to give us a feel for what’ll happen in the future.
Revelation 5:12-13
12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!
Here are some other versions:
Hibernia Gospel 