This past week we introduced a new song into our collection of corporate worship repertoire. The song is titled “O Father, You Are Sovereign,” after it’s opening line and major theme. The reason I find this song worth singing is because it so richly and poetically unfolds what it means to confess that God is sovereign. In the first verse it highlights God’s sovereignty in creation. The second verse highlights God’s sovereignty in all of our daily affairs. The third verse highlights God’s sovereignty even amidst our trials and pain. And the final verse looks forward to the day when every knee will bow before the Sovereign One. It is not only worth singing, it is worth committing to memory.
O Father, you are sovereign
in all the worlds you made;
your mighty word was spoken
and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons
and bounds the ocean’s shore,
sets stars within their courses
and stills the tempests’ roar.
O Father, you are sovereign
in all affairs of man;
no pow'rs of death or darkness
can thwart Your perfect plan.
All chance and change transcending,
supreme in time and space,
you hold your trusting children
secure in your embrace.
O Father, you are sovereign
the Lord of human pain,
transmuting earthly sorrows
to gold of heav'nly gain.
All evil over-ruling,
as none but Conqu'ror could,
your love pursues its purpose —
our souls’ eternal good.
O Father, you are sovereign!
We see you dimly now,
but soon before your triumph
earth’s every knee shall bow.
With this glad hope before us
our faith springs up anew:
our sovereign Lord and Savior,
we trust and worship you!
