Introduction
Chris Tomlin is a well-known Christian musician who has produced many songs that are popular among Christians. One of his most popular songs is “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” This song is a beautiful and powerful expression of the longing that Christians feel for the coming of Jesus. In this article, we will explore the lyrics of this song and what they mean.
The Lyrics
The lyrics of “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” are based on a hymn that was written by Charles Wesley in the 18th century. Chris Tomlin has updated and modernized the lyrics to make them more accessible to contemporary audiences. The song begins with the following lines:
Come thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
These lines express the longing that Christians have for the coming of Jesus. They remind us that Jesus came to set us free from our fears and sins and to bring us rest. The next lines of the song continue this theme:
Israel’s strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
These lines emphasize the universality of Jesus’ message. He is not just the savior of one nation, but of all nations. He is the hope of the entire earth and the joy of every longing heart. The next lines of the song focus on Jesus’ role as a redeemer:
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
These lines remind us that Jesus was born to deliver us from sin and to establish his kingdom on earth. He was born as a child, but he is also a king who will reign forever. The final lines of the song express our hope and longing for Jesus’ return:
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
These lines express our desire for Jesus to rule in our hearts and to raise us up to his throne. They remind us that we are not just waiting for Jesus to return, but we are actively preparing ourselves for his coming.
Conclusion
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” is a beautiful and powerful song that expresses the longing that Christians have for the coming of Jesus. Chris Tomlin’s updated lyrics make this hymn more accessible to contemporary audiences while still retaining its powerful message. We hope that this article has helped you to understand the meaning behind the lyrics of this song and to appreciate its beauty and power.
