When this stirring hymn was written in 1719, the evangelical missionary movement that we know in our time had scarcely begun. And in 1779 William Carey became one of the first to try to persuade Christians to carry the gospel message to heathen countries of the world.
The writer of this missionary hymn, Isaac Watts, was certainly quite prophetic when he paraphrased this text from Psalm 72. It is still considered one of the finest missionary hymns ever written and has been sung in countless native tongues.
In the South Sea Islands in 1862, 5,000 primitive people sang this hymn as the king abolished their native laws and established a Christian constitution.
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Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun
(1) Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Doth His successive journeys run,
His kingdom spread from shore to shore,
'Til moons shall wax and wane no more.
(2) To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And endless praises crown His head;
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
(3) People and realms of every tongue
dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their earthly blessings on His name.
(4) Let every creature rise and bring
His grateful honors to our King;
Angels descend with song again,
and earth repeat the loud "Amen!"
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