Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth.
Psalm 96:10
Words: Frances R. Havergal, April 19, 1872. First published in Evening Hours, 1872.
Music: Ira D. Sankey, 1881 (🔊 pdf nwc).
It was a snowy morning, and Miss Havergal was not able to go to church. She was in bed, and asked for her Prayer-book, as she always liked to follow the services of the day.
On Mr. Shaw’s return from church, he heard her touch on the piano.
Why, Frances, I thought you were upstairs!Yes; but I had my Prayer-book, and in the Psalms for to-day, I read,With copper-plate neatness she had rapidly written out the words, music, and harmonies complete.Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King.I thought,What a splendid first line!and then words and music came rushing in to me. There, it’s all written out.Dr. James, Vicar of North Marston, says that Miss Havergal had exhausted herself at a Somersetshire garden party, but happened to overhear her hostess’s regret that the servants had not been present. She exclaimed, ‘Oh, if it is work for the Master, of course I can do it.
She was suffering much from the sting of a bee, but threw off her hat and gloves, sat down at the piano, and greatly impressed ‘a whole retinue of servants’ by singing from the Messiah, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ When all was done she stood up and said, ‘Now I am going to tell you what you must do when you yourselves have accepted the invitation.’
She sang out before her spellbound audience, ‘Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King’ to her own music. As they lingered she promised to send each of them a copy. Dr. James said that at least one person was turned to Christ by that musical afternoon.
Telford, p. 400
Tell it out among the heathen
That the Lord is King;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the nations,
Bid them shout and sing;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out with adoration
That He shall increase,
That the mighty King of Glory
Is the King of Peace;
Tell it out with jubilation,
Let the song ne’er cease;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the heathen
That the Savior reigns;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the nations,
Bid them break their chains;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the weeping
Ones that Jesus lives,
Tell it out among the weary
Ones what rest He gives,
Tell it out among the sinners
That He still receives;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the heathen,
Jesus reigns above;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the nations
That His reign is love;
Tell it out! Tell it out!
Tell it out among the highways
And the lanes at home,
Let it ring across the mountains
And the ocean’s foam,
Like the sound of many waters,
Let our glad shout come!
Tell it out! Tell it out!