[Intro — Organ pad, soft choir hum]
(Organ swell; piano pad beneath)
[Verse 1 — Leader]
Why do the heathen rage, and the people plot in vain?
The kings take counsel together, the rulers lift their strain;
They set themselves against the LORD and His Anointed One,
Yet behold the throne of God, the victory hath begun.
[Pre-Chorus — Leader with subtle choir response]
Behold His seat — a throne of burning light,
He counts their plotting as a passing night.
(Swell: strings, organ)
[Chorus — Call & Response]
Leader: The LORD reigns! —
Choir: The LORD reigns! (repeat)
Leader: He that sitteth in the heavens laugheth —
Choir: He laugheth! (echo)
Leader: I will break them with a word like lightning's flame —
Choir: The LORD reigns! The LORD reigns!
[Verse 2 — Leader]
I have set My King upon My holy hill of Zion;
Ask of Me, saith He, and I shall give the heathen for His hire.
The ends of the earth shall be His, the nations to possess;
He shall rule in righteousness, His sceptre shall confess.
[Pre-Chorus — Leader to Choir]
Rise, ye rulers, be wise; O judges of the earth,
Serve the LORD with trembling, rejoice with holy mirth.
(Instrumental lift: choir murmurs “serve the LORD”)
[Chorus — Call & Response]
Leader: The LORD reigns! —
Choir: The LORD reigns!
Leader: He that sitteth in the heavens looketh down and laugheth —
Choir: He laugheth! (punching rhythm)
Leader: He shall rebuke in wrath, and in His anger chasten —
Choir: The LORD reigns! The LORD reigns!
[Bridge — Swelling choir, full organ and strings]
Leader: Kiss the Son, lest He be wroth and ye perish in the way;
Choir (answering): Kiss the Son, bow low and stay.
Leader: Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him; Selah —
Choir: Blessed, blessed, in His holy name.
(Arrangement note: choir climbs; gospel ad-libs; organ glissando)
[Chorus — Modulate up, triumphant]
Leader: The LORD reigns! —
Choir: The LORD reigns!
Leader: He that sitteth in the heavens laugheth at their proud device —
Choir: He laugheth! (full power)
Leader: He shall speak, His word shall smite; His chosen He shall bless —
Choir: The LORD reigns! The LORD reigns! (repeat)
[Outro — Tighter, resonant]
(Soft piano, single choir line)
The LORD reigneth — forever. Amen.
(End on sustained organ chord, choir hum fades)
