The Servant King (From heav'n You came helpless babe)

This is a contemporary worship song about Jesus and the paradox of him being both servant and king.

It was written by Graham Kendrick (b 1950) and first published in 1983.

Since then it has crossed denominational and stylistic boundaries, and been performed by many different artists, and is now used in some places as a congregational hymn.




Downloads

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Examples

Professional video - solo singer with piano accompaniment:


Graham Kendrick with band at a live, open-air performance:


Choir with piano:


Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here.   But they are currently available on the composer's own website.

The song has four verses (and a 5th, added by Rend collective in 2013), and a four-line chorus which is repeated after each of the four verses. A rough outline is:
1 From heaven you came helpless babe ...

Chorus:
This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King

2 There in the garden of tears ...

3 Come see His hands and His feet

4 So let us learn how to serve

5 We bring our lives to you ...

See more ....


KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live


Chorus:
This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King


There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
'Yet not My will but Yours,' He said


Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered


So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him
Each other's needs to prefer
For it is Christ we're serving


(Extra section added 2013)
We bring our lives to you
A sacrifice for you
In view of love so true
We are changed, renewed

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