GOD, THE LORD, A KING REMAINETH

“The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength.” Psalm 93:1

John Keble (1792-1866)

Words: John Ke­ble, 1839.

Music: Re­gent Square, Hen­ry T. Smart, in Psalms and Hymns for Di­vine Wor­ship (Lon­don: 1867) (MI­DI, score). Al­ter­nate tune:

  • Bryn Cal­fa­ria, Will­iam Owen, 1852 (MI­DI, score) (re­peats last line of each stan­za)

If you have ac­cess to a better pho­to of Hen­ry Smart that we could put on­line, please click here.


Henry T. Smart (1813-1879)

God, the Lord, a King remaineth,
Robed in His own glorious light;
God hath robed Him and He reigneth;
He hath girded Him with might.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
God is King in depth and height.

In her everlasting station
Earth is poised, to swerve no more:
Thou hast laid Thy throne’s foundation
From all time where thought can soar.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Lord, Thou art forevermore.

Lord, the water floods have lifted,
Ocean floods have lift their roar;
Now they pause where they have drifted,
Now they burst upon the shore.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
For the ocean’s sounding store.

With all tones of waters blending,
Glorious is the breaking deep;
Glorious, beauteous without ending,
God Who reigns on heav’ns high steep.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Songs of ocean never sleep.

Lord, the words Thy lips are telling
Are the perfect verity:
Of Thine high eternal dwelling
Holiness shall inmate be.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Pure is all that lives with Thee.