Worship Arts Notes

The word worship is a contraction of an old expression in the English language, woerth-scipe, denoting the giving of reverent praise to an object of superlative worth.  True worship, then, is an act by a redeemed man, the creature, toward God, his Creator, whereby his will, intellect, and emotions gratefully respond to the revelation of God’s person expressed in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit illuminates the written word to his heart.   

The author of this text, Robert Grant, described himself and all of us as “frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,” even though he was a member of a distinguished British political family, a member of the Parliament of Scotland and governor of Bombay, India, for a time.  Throughout his entire life, Grant was a devoutly evangelical Christian who strongly supported the missionary outreach of his church and endeared himself to the people of India by establishing a medical college in Bombay.   

Although “O Worship The King” is the only hymn by Sir Robert Grant in common usage today, it is considered to be a model for worship.  Its descriptive names used in exalting the Almighty are significant:  Shield, Defender, Ancient of Days, Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.   Also the vivid imagery – “pavilioned in splendor,” “girded with praise,” “whose robe is the light,” “whose canopy space,” “chariots of wrath,” “wings of the storm” – aids us in the worthy praise and adoration of our heavenly King. 

From Amazing Grace – 365 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck.