Jack Hayford, Pastor of the Church On The Way in CA, died just this year. He wrote over 500 songs! A gifted evangelist, teacher, and musician, the man was a blessing to the people of God, His Church.
The song that we are adding to our practice of praise today is the one Jack is best known for. In fact, for over 15 years it was consistently among the top 10 songs among Christians. Perhaps you have enjoyed praising God with this gem.
The words are simple, yet profound.
Majesty
Majesty. Worship His Majesty!
Unto Jesus, be all glory, honor and praise!
Majesty. Kingdom authority
flow from His throne, unto His own.
His anthem raise!
So exalt, lift up on high
the name of Jesus!
Magnify, come glorify,
Christ Jesus, the King!
Jack Hayford
I am reading one of Jack’s books, Majesty. It is a fascinating read, and I look forward to reviewing it for this website soon.
In it, Jack describes the story behind the writing of this modern-day hymn. Just about 50 years ago, Jack and his wife were on vacation in Great Britain.
The land was abuzz with great excitement over Queen Elizabeth’s silver anniversary of her coronation. In Jack’s own words:
For years I have been convinced that the provisions of Christ for the believer not only include our forgiveness for sin; but provide restoration to a royal relationship with God as sons and daughters born into the family through His Majesty, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Within that relationship, as people of The Kingdom, I felt the Bible disclosed a new dimension of dominion over “all the works of the devil” bequeathed to us as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
While visiting many of the castles of the land, I began to sense the influence one might feel if raised as a child in such regal settings. For example, while at Blenheim – where Churchill was raised – it became quite credible how a person, accustomed to such an environment, might more likely conceive of themselves as being bred to influence their world. Of course, Churchill was not directly of the royal family, but the sense of regal destiny pervades many of those sites and influences many of those people.
One day, as Anna and I drove along together, the opening lyrics and melody of “Majesty” simply came to my heart.
https://www.jackhayford.org/teaching/articles/the-birth-of-majesty/
Here is an older version of Majesty for us today. For more worship music, check out the playlist.
