DOCTRINES >> ETERNAL LIFE
SDAH 426
I shall see the King where the angels sing,
I shall see the King some day, in the better land,
On that golden strand,
And with Him shall ever stay.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: I Shall See the King
William C. Poole’s heartfelt words, joined with B. D. Ackley’s uplifting melody, paint a vivid picture of the Christian’s hope—standing in the presence of Christ and seeing Him face to face. Written by a pastor whose hymns flowed from a desire to “help somebody,” this gospel song brims with assurance and joy in the promise of eternal life with our King. Until that day, we live in faith, holding fast to the vision of His coming glory.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This gospel song of hope in eternal life with Christ was first copyrighted in 1915 by the composer; it is one of those the committee voted to bring back from Gospel in Song, 1926.
William Charles Poole was born April 14, 1875, in Easton, Maryland, to parents who were farmers; he was converted to Christ at age 11. After receiving his education at Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland, he was ordained a Methodist preacher in 1900, and faithfully served as pastor for 35 years in the Wilmington Conference. As a boy he composed verse, and during his life as a preacher he wrote many religious articles, more than 500 gospel hymns, and sacred poetry. He was prominent in the temperance cause, and at one time was superintendent of the Delaware Anti-Saloon League. He died December 24, 1949.
He wrote many of his songs after being encouraged by composer Charles H. Gabriel (see SDAH 435), who composed music for Poole’s text for SDAH 512, “Just When I Need Him Most.”
Poole said: “My real work is that of a minister and pastor. The writing is done as recreation and diversion from responsibilities that might otherwise depress me. The same idea that sends me to the pulpit sends me to my pen or typewriter-to help somebody.”
B. D. Ackley (1872-1958; see SDAH 311) was organist for churches in New York and Pennsylvania, pianist for the evangelist Billy several Sunday, a Methodist minister, and a music editor who composed music for more than 3,000 gospel songs. He said he composed this one in Philadelphia during a period of “stressing grind and hard work.”
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
I shall see the King where the angels sing,
I shall see the King some day, in the better land,
On that golden strand,
And with Him shall ever stay.
Refrain:
In His glory, I shall see the King,
And forever endless praises sing;
‘Twas on Calvary Jesus died for me;
I shall see the King someday.
2
In the land of song, in the glory throng,
Where there never comes a night,
With my Lord once slain I shall ever reign
In the glory land of light.
3
I shall see the King, all my tributes bring,
And shall look upon His face;
Then my song shall be how He ransomed me
And has kept me by His grace.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Rev 22:4 (b) Rev 22:5 (c) Mark 10:45 (r) Rev 5:13
Author
W.C. Poole (1875-1949)
Copyright
Copyright 1915 by B.D. Ackley. Renewed 1943, The Rodeheaver Co. (A Div. of Word, Inc.). All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
Metrical Number
10.7.10.7.Ref.
Composer
B.D. Ackley (1872-1958)
