God the Omnipotent is a powerful hymn that celebrates God’s supreme sovereignty, mercy, and righteousness. With its rich imagery of divine strength and grace, the song encourages believers to trust in God’s all-powerful nature while seeking peace in a world of chaos.
VERSE 1
God the Omnipotent! King who ordainest
Thunder thy clarion, the lightning thy sword;
Show forth thy pity on high where thou reignest:
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
God the All-merciful! Earth hath forsaken
Thy ways all holy, and slighted thy word;
Bid not thy wrath in its terrors awaken:
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
God, the All-righteous One! Earth hath deified thee;
Yet to eternity standeth thy word,
Falsehood and wrong shall not tarry beside thee:
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.
God the All-provident! earth by thy chastening
Yet shall to freedom and truth be restored;
Through the thick darkness thy kingdom is hastening:
Thou wilt give peace in our time, O Lord.
Story Behind the Song
“God the Omnipotent” is a hymn that intertwines the literary contributions of Henry Fothergill Chorley and John Ellerton with the musical composition of Alexis Feodorovitch Lvov. Chorley, an English Quaker writer and music critic, penned the original text in 1842. Ellerton, an Anglican priest and hymnologist, adapted and expanded upon Chorley’s work in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, to reflect the contemporary context. [1]
The hymn is set to the tune “Russian Hymn,” composed by Alexis Feodorovitch Lvov in 1833 at the request of Tsar Nicholas I. Lvov, a Russian general and music director, crafted this melody to serve as a national anthem for Russia. The tune gained prominence and was later adopted for the hymn, creating a powerful musical backdrop for the lyrics. [2]
Over time, the hymn has undergone various adaptations and revisions, with different hymnals selecting specific stanzas and making textual alterations. Despite these changes, the central themes of God’s omnipotence, mercy, righteousness, and providence remain consistent, reflecting the enduring relevance of the hymn’s message. [3]
Today, “God the Omnipotent” continues to be a cherished hymn in many Christian traditions, resonating with congregations worldwide through its profound lyrics and stirring melody.
God’s Providence
God the Omnipotent is a hymn that reflects on the divine attributes of God, calling for peace in a world marked by chaos and sin. “God the Omnipotent” speaks to God’s supreme power over all creation, acknowledging His sovereignty.
This aligns with biblical truths found in Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord and mighty in power,” and Isaiah 46:10, where God declares that His purpose will stand. Through these verses, the song emphasizes that God, as the ultimate ruler, holds all things in His hands and is the source of true peace.
“God the All-merciful” recognizes God’s compassion in the face of human rebellion. The world, having “forsaken thy ways all holy,” stands in need of God’s mercy, which He offers abundantly despite humanity’s sinfulness.
The plea for God’s mercy in the face of judgment echoes Psalm 103:10, which reminds us that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. It is only through His mercy that believers are able to find reconciliation and peace.
This calls Christians to recognize their own need for forgiveness and to trust in God’s grace.
“God the All-righteous One” points to God’s unwavering justice. The world may have “deified thee,” seeking false gods, yet God remains righteous and just.
Psalm 11:7 speaks of God’s love for justice, and His righteousness will stand eternal. This reinforces the need for worship to be rooted in God’s holiness, as His justice will ultimately prevail over all falsehood and wrong.
“God the All-provident” reflects on God’s faithful provision, even in dark times. The line “through the thick darkness thy kingdom is hastening” captures the essence of God’s work even in adversity.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him, and this assurance of God’s providence calls believers to trust that His purposes are unfolding, regardless of present circumstances.
Ultimately, the song invites believers to recognize the completeness of God’s character—His omnipotence, mercy, righteousness, and providence—and to seek peace through His sovereignty.
By understanding these aspects of God’s nature, worshipers are called to respond with humility, trust, and hope in the ultimate restoration He promises. In a world that constantly seeks peace through temporary means, this hymn points us to the eternal peace found only in God.
More Related Bible verses on God’s Providence
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 GNB
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6 GNB
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25 GNB
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14 GNB
“The Lord is King; let the earth be glad! Let the distant shores rejoice.” – Psalm 97:1 GNB
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Related themes you might want to include God the Omnipotent in your list of songs for worship that centered around Peace, Salvation, Trusting God by Faith, Provisions of Needs
God the Omnipotent lyrics Alexis Feodorovitch Lvov and music by Nicholas I. Lvov (1870) Public Domain
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