LBW 530, "Jesus Shall Reign"
Devotion
Of the approximately 600 hymns composed by English author and hymn writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748) "Jesus Shall Reign" is particularly suited for Christ the King Sunday.
Based on Psalm 72, its thrust is missionary on one level. It looks forward to the day when all peoples experience the reign of Jesus, reflect upon his love, call upon him in prayer and praise him for his goodness. The last verse may be seen as a missionary call for every creature to rise up to honor the Lord.
Simultaneously, its thrust is eschatological. Insofar as these things will be fulfilled only on the Last Day, the hymn reflects the Christian yearning and waiting for Christ's reign to be manifest. And we name our hopes for that reign: the joyful, leaping freedom of the prisoner, as in Luke 4:18, and the rest for the weary, as in Matthew 11:28.
Prayer
Dear Lord, gentle king of all the earth, bless the sharing of the news of your rule to every ear. Speed the day when your rule will be made manifest to every heart. Amen.