JESUS CHRIST >> KINGDOM & REIGN
SDAH 222
Hark! ten thousand harps and voices
Sound the note of praise above;
Jesus reigns, and heaven rejoices,
Jesus reigns, the God of love:
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Hark! Ten Thousand Harps and Voices
Thomas Kelly’s vibrant hymn envisions all heaven resounding in praise of the risen, reigning Christ. Adapted in SDAH to reflect Adventist hope, it includes a longing to see Jesus face to face. Lowell Mason’s addition of “Alleluias” heightens the glory and wonder of the text. Let this heavenly chorus stir your heart with praise!
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
The original of this hymn by Thomas Kelly (1769-1854; see SDAH 165) had seven stanzas of six lines each, but there were no “alleluias,” and the meter was 8.7.8.7.7.7. It was printed in his Hymns, second edition, 1806. Minor alterations on SDAH include: stanza 1, line 5, changed from “He fills yon azure throne”; stanza 2, line 6, from “Soon they hope to see Thy face,” showing Kelly’s hope on the imminent Advent; and stanza 3, lines 3 and 4, from “When this flesh no longer wearing, all our griefs shall fly away.” Kelly’s title was “Let all the angels of God Worship Him” (Heb. 1:6).
Kelly also wrote SDAH 165, “Look You Saints, The Sight Is Glorious,” and SDAH 199, “The Head That Once Was Crowned.” Lowell Mason (1792-1872; see Biographies) has been noted for traveling to Europe, gathering melodies from the works of the great composers, and the incorporating them into his hymn tunes. He wrote this tune in 1841, adding the “alleluias” to the text, and named it after an English residence, or homestead.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Stanza:
1 – Revelation 5:11, 13
2 – Revelation 11:15
Revelation 22:4
3 – 2 Peter 3:12
Revelation 19:1
Revelation 20:11
Text
1
Hark! ten thousand harps and voices
Sound the note of praise above;
Jesus reigns, and heaven rejoices,
Jesus reigns, the God of love:
See, He sits on yonder throne;
Jesus rules the world alone.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Amen.
2
King of glory, reign forever,
Thine an everlasting crown;
Nothing from Thy love shall sever
Those whom Thou hast made Thine own;
Happy objects of Thy grace,
Destined to behold Thy face.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Amen.
3
Savior, hasten Thine appearing;
Bring, O bring the glorious day,
When, the awful summons hearing,
Heaven and earth shall pass away:;
Then, with golden harps we’ll sing,
“Glory, glory to our King!”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Amen.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Rev 5:11, 13 (b) Rev 11:15; 22:4 (c) 2 Pet 3:12; Rev 19:1; 20:11
Author
Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)
Hymn Tune
HARWELL
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.7.7.8.6.
Composer
Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
Theme
KINGDOM & REIGN
