“The Lord is a Mighty King” is a fitting addition to an album entitled Slave Songs. This hymn invites the listener to worship God – the magnificent Master of the redeemed. The recurring designation to God as “the Lord,” a title that relates closely to the metaphor of spiritual slavery, reminds us of the inherent supremacy, authority, and sovereignty of the King of the universe. John McArthur observes, “Jesus Christ is our Master – a fact we acknowledge every time we call Him ‘Lord.’ We are His slaves, called to humbly and whole-heartedly obey and honor Him.” This song also places the stress on the identity of God and not on our subsequent identity as His slaves. The doctrine of spiritual slavery first and foremost exalts the eternal triune God. He deserves the entire spotlight for His role in redemptive history.
In order to facilitate this attitude and perspective, “The Lord is a Mighty King” focuses on the nature of God and its implications for mankind. Each of the four verses presents an attribute of God: His might, ho-liness, mercy, and faithfulness. I selected these attributes for their clear role in the gospel narrative, which tells of a mighty and eternal King who created mankind in His image. Man, however, rebelled against His Maker, and because God is holy, He must punish man. But God is also gracious, and out of His abundant mercy He chooses to save sinners from His wrath by punishing His righteous Son instead. The Lord’s faithfulness assures those whom He has saved of an everlasting peace and renewed fellowship with their Creator.
In each verse, the first half designates one of these attributes to God. Also contained is a brief explanation of the relation of this divine characteristic to mankind. The latter half of each verse offers the Christian’s perspective on how each attribute affects him personally.
lyrics
The Lord is a mighty King: the King of all nations,
The Maker of everything, let His handiwork say,
“I am His, I am His! Creator owns creation.”
See what power there is in the Sovereign who reigns.
The Lord is a holy King: the Judge rules from heaven;
His wrath He will surely bring on the man who rebels.
O my sin, O my sin! How can I be forgiven?
There is justice in Him; is there mercy as well?
The Lord is a gracious King: for those who believe Him,
His Son is an offering for their sins to atone;
I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed! By grace I have received Him,
By His death on the tree I have peace at His throne.
The Lord is a faithful King: He never will leave us;
His children will ever sing of His glorious love.
O my soul, O my soul is safely bound in Jesus;
All His virtues extol, for the Lord reigns above.
credits
from Slave Songs,
released November 12, 2012
Words and music by Cody Curtis
Produced and engineered by Cody Curtis
supported by 8 fans who also own “The Lord is a Mighty King”
Some new and non traditional...beautiful renditions of the Nativity Story put to song...."A Light".."that all the darkness could never and will never overcome! Amen." Sharon Wood