Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#541

541. Christ Shall Have Dominion

1 Christ shall have dominion over land and sea;
earth's remotest regions shall his empire be.
They that wilds inhabit shall their worship bring;
kings shall bring their tribute, nations serve our King.

2 When the needy seek him, he will mercy show;
all the weak and helpless shall his pity know.
He will surely save them from oppression's might,
for their lives are precious in his holy sight.

3 Ever and forever shall his name endure;
long as suns continue it shall stand secure.
And in him forever nations shall be blest,
and all peoples hail him King of kings confessed.

4 Unto God Almighty joyful Zion sings;
he alone is glorious, doing wondrous things.
Evermore, O people, bless his glorious name,
his eternal glory through the earth proclaim.

Text Information

• First Line: Christ shall have dominion
• Title: Christ Shall Have Dominion
• Meter: 65 65 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 72:8-19
• Topic: Doxologies; Praise & Adoration; Church and Mission; Kingdom; Mercy; Missions
• Source: Psalter, 1912

Tune Information

• Name: KING OF GLORY
• Composer: Albert Piersma (1933)
• Meter: 65 65 D
• Key: A♭ Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 72:8-11
st. 2 = Ps. 72:12-14
st. 3 = Ps. 72:15-17
st. 4 = Ps. 72:18-19

Found in the 1912 Psalter and in every edition of the Psalter Hymnal, this mission hymn is based on Psalm 72:8-19 (for comments on Psalm 72 see PHH 72).

The paraphrase in New Testament language proclaims the worldwide rule of Christ over all peoples and kingdoms (st. 1, vv. 8-11); his saving mercy to the needy and oppressed (st. 2, vv. 12-14); and the blessings of his endless reign (st. 3, vv. 15-17). The final stanza is a doxology (originally the doxology that ended Book II of the psalms; see Psalm 72:19). This beloved royal psalm has several settings in the Psalter Hymnal (72, 359,412, and 630).

Liturgical Use:
This great messianic psalm is appropriate for Advent, Epiphany, and Ascension; useful in missions services, ecumenical gatherings, and church festivals such as Worldwide Communion, All Nations Sunday, and All Saints Day or Reformation.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Albert Piersma (b. Friesland, the Netherlands, 1901; d. Grand Rapids, MI, 1960) composed KING OF GLORY in 1933 as a setting for Caroline M. Noel's "At the Name of Jesus" (467), which has "King of Glory" in its final stanza–thus the tune's title. The tune was published with Noel's text in the 1934 and 1959 editions of the Psalter Hymnal. Piersma lived in Grandville, Michigan, where he worked for the Kindle Bed Furniture Company. He was the senior organist of Grandville Avenue Christian Reformed Church for over thirty years. In addition to hymn tunes, Piersma wrote several poems, which were published in The Banner.

KING OF GLORY is a stately tune that builds to a solid climax in its final line. Sing the first three stanzas in parts but sing in unison on stanza 4. That stanza also needs a descant; if the accompanist cannot compose one, try having the sopranos sing the tenor line an octave higher. Use your best mixture or reed stop on the organ. For festive occasions add brass instruments.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook