Lyrics
Worthy Above Every King
Read together: 1 Timothy 6:13–16; Psalm 22:3–5; Revelation 22:16; Hebrews 12:1–2
History is full of kings. Some were wise, many were cruel, most are forgotten. This song declares that one King stands above them all: Thou art worthy above every King.
Read 1 Timothy 6:13–16. Paul ends his first letter to Timothy with a burst of praise, describing God as "the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion." Every earthly ruler is mortal. Every kingdom eventually falls. Only one King is eternal.
The song's verses move like a litany. Oh Lord, ruler over all creation… gracious and merciful… healer and comforter… salvation has come and covered our shame. Each line adds another reason God is worthy. And each verse ends the same way: right now, we worship You.
The fourth verse turns to Jesus with tender names drawn from Scripture and the church's long tradition of worship. Precious lily of the valley and brightest star. Older hymns applied the "lily of the valleys" image from the Song of Songs to Christ's beauty. And Revelation 22:16 gives us Jesus' own words: "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star." The morning star appears when the night is darkest, just before dawn. Jesus is the sign that night will not last forever.
The same verse prays, inhabit our praise. That phrase comes from Psalm 22:3, which in older translations says God "inhabitest the praises of Israel." Modern versions render it, "You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." Either way, the picture is beautiful: God is present among His people when they praise Him. Then the psalm continues, "In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them." Praise remembers God's faithfulness.
It is worth noticing that Psalm 22 is also the psalm Jesus quoted from the cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" The same psalm that speaks of God enthroned on praise also describes suffering that pointed forward to Calvary. The King we worship is the King who suffered for us.
The bridge holds one of the song's most important distinctions: We thank You for all You've done… but oh Savior, Finisher of our faith, who bore our every scar… we praise You most of all for who You are. Read Hebrews 12:1–2. We fix our eyes on Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." We thank Him for what He has done. But we worship Him because of who He is.
If you have been praising God only when He gives you what you want, this song invites you deeper. And if you have never bowed before this King, He invites you to come and receive His mercy.
A moment to respond: Read 1 Timothy 6:15–16 aloud. Then write a short list of names or titles for Jesus that mean the most to you—King, Savior, Morning Star, Healer. Spend a few minutes worshiping Him for each one, focusing on who He is rather than what you need.
Let's pray: Lord Jesus, You are worthy above every king. You are the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, the bright Morning Star. You bore our every scar and finished our faith. Inhabit our praise as we humbly bow. We thank You for all You have done, but most of all, we worship You for who You are. Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that you would bow before the King who is worthy above every king—and worship Him for who He is.
