My wife and I are big Penn State football fans. Before our physical challenges prevented us from going, we often were able to attend five or six home games each year. We enjoyed the enthusiasm of the band, the excitement of the fans and the general atmosphere. It was stirring to hear the 105,000 fans cheer “We are ... Penn State!” Now we watch the games on television but we miss the thrill of being there. Sports fans can be enthusiastic. Likewise, concertgoers raise their hands and swoon at rock stars. Supporters clap, cheer and throw confetti for leading politicians. So why shouldn’t Christians unite their hearts, souls and minds and raise their voices and cheer for the lover of souls, the giver of good things, the creator of the universe, the all-powerful glorious one, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end? “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” (Psalm 51:15). King David was eager to worship. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” (Psalm 122:1). And he had so much enthusiasm, dancing before the Lord when the ark returned to Jerusalem, that his wife was embarrassed by his behavior (2 Samuel 6:14-16). Christian Henry Bateman (1813-1899) was ordained into the Church of England after being a Congregational minister. He is credited as being the author of this hymn although there are some who believe that Bateman’s hymn is actually a rewritten version of the hymn “Join Now in Praise, and Sing” by William Edward Hickson (1803-1870). But no matter who actually wrote it, the hymn is a challenge to Christians to join in praising the Creator. Each stanza begins with an exhortation - an imperative command to “Come” or “Praise.” In stanza one, Bateman provides us with the reason for singing - We offer “loud praise to Christ our King ... before his throne ... ” Christ desires our praise - “praise is his gracious choice. . . .” Stanza two reassures all of us that this King is also “our guide and friend” and that “his love shall never end.” This King will “condescend” to be our friend. To condescend surely did not mean to patronize as it tends to mean today, but implies that Christ the King humbles himself to be in a personal relationship with us. Stanza three reassures us that we need not fear death. Beyond life, our songs will continue on “heaven’s blissful shore ... singing forevermore: Alleluia! Amen!” Football games and concerts are fun. Political events are important. But a greater priority is to worship God. Why not praise Him with the enthusiasm of a Super Bowl fan, the adoration of a music enthusiast, and the zeal of a political supporter? Pray for this nation to recognize the awesomeness of God and give Him the praise due to His name.
1 Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
let all, with heart and voice,
before his throne rejoice;
praise is his gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!
2 Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
he is our Guide and Friend;
to us he’ll condescend;
his love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!
3 Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia! Amen!
life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
on heaven’s blissful shore,
his goodness we’ll adore,
singing forevermore,
"Alleluia! Amen!”
Listen to it here. COME
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