Oh, Spread The Tidings 'Round - Hymn with Lyrics

1. O spread the tidings 'round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let ev'ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound:
Our Lord is Lord of lords.

Chorus:
Of lords, He is the Lord! Divine, the living Word!
His name, the sweetest heard; His will redemption brings;
O spread the tidings 'round, wherever man is found:
The Lord is King of kings.

2. Lo, Christ the King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv'rance brings;
And thro' the vacant cells the song of triumph rings;
Our Lord is King of kings. [Chorus]

3. O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine
To wond'ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine-
That I with Him may dwell in His image shine!
In Him, the Word of heav'n. [Chorus]

Scripture; John 14:6; Malachi 4:2; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 3:18

 

The hymn "Oh, Spread the Tidings 'Round", also known as "The Comforter Has Come", was written in 1890 by Frank Bottome. Bottome, an English-born Methodist minister, wrote the hymn to celebrate the promise of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter described in John 14:16-17.

The hymn is often associated with its stirring refrain and has been a beloved song in many Christian traditions. The music was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick, 

Inspiration and Context:

Frank Bottome (1823–1894) was a Methodist minister known for his devotion to biblical truths and pastoral care. The late 19th century was a time of significant spiritual revival and missionary activity in the Christian world, and hymns played a critical role in expressing theological truths and inspiring faith. Bottome likely drew inspiration from his own experiences in ministry, seeing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in people's lives.

The hymn’s jubilant tone celebrates the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that God would not leave His followers alone but would send the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach, and empower them. The recurring refrain—“The Comforter has come!”—underscores the profound joy and assurance believers have because of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Themes:

1. Joy and Triumph: The hymn invites all creation to rejoice at the arrival of the Comforter, emphasizing the universality of the message.
2. God’s Promise Fulfilled: It reflects the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit.
3. Spiritual Empowerment: The hymn speaks of the power and guidance believers receive through the Holy Spirit.