Spread the Reign of God the Lord is a marching hymn that calls the Church to proclaim the Word of God to all people. It focuses on the saving work of the Father, the redeeming sacrifice of the Son, and the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit. Rooted in biblical truth, the song emphasizes the urgent need for believers to share the gospel so that all nations may hear God’s call and enter His kingdom.
VERSE 1
Spread the reign of God the Lord,
Spoken, written, mighty Word;
Everywhere His creatures call
To His heavenly banquet hall.
VERSE 2
Tell how God the Father’s will
Made the world, upholds it still,
How His own dear Son He gave
Us from sin and death to save.
VERSE 3
Tell of our Redeemer’s grace,
Who, to save our human race
And to pay rebellion’s price,
Gave Himself as sacrifice.
VERSE 4
Tell of God the Spirit given
Now to guide us on to heaven,
Strong and holy, just and true,
Working both to will and do.
VERSE 5
Enter, mighty Word, the field;
Ripe the promise of its yield.
But the reapers, oh, how few
For the work there is to do!
VERSE 6
Lord of harvest, great and kind,
Rouse to action heart and mind;
Let the gathering nations all
See Your light and heed Your call.
The Urgent Call to Proclaim the Kingdom
Many believers feel the weight of a world in chaos but struggle to find the words to share hope. This hymn addresses the vital mission of the Church to spread the mighty Word to every creature.
It begins by inviting everyone to God’s heavenly banquet hall through the proclamation of His reign. The lyrics systematically detail the saving work of the Father, the Redeemer’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s guidance. While the harvest is ripe and plentiful, the song honestly admits that faithful reapers remain few.
We respond to this truth by asking the Lord to rouse our hearts and minds for action. Ultimately, this hymn transforms our private faith into a public witness that reaches the gathering nations.
Proclaiming the Message of Salvation and Grace
“Spread the reign of God the Lord” signifies the core mission to make the spiritual kingdom of God known. This reign is not about political power but about God ruling within the hearts of all who believe. Scripture tells us that this Word will fulfill God’s purpose and never return to Him empty or void. We are commanded to go into all the world and preach this gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15 NKJV).
“Tell of our Redeemer’s grace” points directly to the central sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the human race. He willingly paid the heavy price for our rebellion by giving Himself as a holy sacrifice for us. This redeeming grace is a gift that we receive freely through faith in His finished work. Believers are called to testify to this grace because faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17 NKJV).
“Lord of harvest, great and kind” acknowledges the urgent need for workers to enter the ripe fields. Jesus taught that the harvest is truly plentiful even though the laborers available are currently very few. We must pray earnestly for the Lord to send out dedicated workers into His vast harvest field. This prayer reminds us that evangelism is a necessary response for everyone who has received God’s mercy.
Jesus commanded His followers to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). His reign is not political but spiritual, ruling in the hearts of those who believe (Luke 17:20-21). The Word of God is the instrument of this reign, fulfilling His purpose and never returning empty (Isaiah 55:11).
Story Behind the Hymn
Jonathan Friedrich Bahnmaier, born in 1774, was a German theologian and hymn writer deeply committed to Christian education and pastoral care. In 1798, after completing his studies at Tübingen, he began his ministry as an assistant to his father, a town preacher in Oberstenfeld, Württemberg.
His career included roles as Diaconus in Marbach and Ludwigsburg, and later as Professor of Education and Homiletics at Tübingen in 1815. Despite facing challenges that led him to resign from his professorship, Bahnmaier continued his pastoral work as Decan and Town Preacher at Kirchheim-unter-Teck for 21 years.
His dedication to spreading the Christian message is evident in his hymn “Spread the Reign of God the Lord,” which emphasizes the proclamation of God’s word and the global mission of the church. This hymn has been included in various hymnals, such as the Lutheran Service Book.[1]
The tune associated with this hymn, “GOTT SEI DANK,” originates from the early 18th century. It first appeared in the “Geist-reiches Gesang-Buch,” edited by Johann A. Freylinghausen in 1704. This melody has been paired with Bahnmaier’s text to inspire congregations to engage in the mission of spreading God’s word.[2]
While specific details about the hymn’s initial composition and reception are limited, its enduring presence in worship services highlights its impact. “Spread the Reign of God the Lord” continues to encourage believers to actively participate in sharing the gospel, reflecting Bahnmaier’s lifelong commitment to Christian mission and education.
Digging Deeper
The hymn explores the specific roles within the Trinity, dedicating separate verses to the Father, Son, and Spirit. Some may find the traditional “reaper” and “harvest” imagery complex, but it remains deeply rooted in biblical parables.
Modern discussions often focus on how few people are willing to labor in the mission field today. The text emphasizes that the Word is spread primarily through the act of speaking to others.
Spread the Reign of God Relevant Bible Verses
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 NKJV
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37 NKJV
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:38 NKJV
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace. Isaiah 52:7 NKJV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation. Romans 1:16 NKJV
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father. Matthew 28:19 NKJV
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.” Romans 10:15 NKJV
More Free PowerPoints Downloads
- Tell Me the Old, Old Story
- Christ Or Nothing (Mack Brock)
- May 2024 New Worship Songs
- Salt and Light (Jamie Smith)
Important: Log in to access Spread the Reign of God the Lord in the FREE DOWNLOAD BOX below. Logging in helps prevent spam users, and it is completely free. Free users have a limited number of downloads per day. You may purchase the Amen Vault Lifetime Access and Updates plan to remove these limits.
Related themes you might want to include Spread the Reign of God the Lord in your list of songs for worship that centered around Resurrection Power, Identity in Christ, Peace, Salvation
Spread the Reign of God the Lord Lyrics and Music by Jonathan Friedrich Bahnmaier (1774–1841). This hymn is in the Public Domain.