Music & HymnsTell It Out (2)

"Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy Name." Psalm 18:49

Words: Frances Ridley Havergal, 1872.

Courtesy of RMJC Archives Collection

This hymn was written…when the author was unable to go to church one snowy morning. She asked for her prayer-book, always liking to follow the services of the day. On the return of her brother-in-law, Mr. Shaw, from church, he heard her touch upon 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, 'Tell it out among the nations 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!"

My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns, by Ira D. Sankey (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Sunday School Times Company, 1907).

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!

Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website