Jesus, be first in everything

Authors:
Themes:
Scriptures:
  • Luke 5:17
  • Luke 9:59-60
  • John 14:6
  • John 19:36-37
  • Acts 10:38
  • Acts 26:23
  • Romans 14:11
  • Romans 5:8-11
  • 1 Corinthians 8:6
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
  • Ephesians 1:20-23
  • Ephesians 2:14
  • Ephesians 5:23
  • Philippians 2:10
  • Colossians 1:15-20
  • Hebrews 1:2-3
  • Hebrews 2:9
  • Hebrews 7:25
  • 1 Peter 1:19
  • 2 Peter 3:12
  • Revelation 1:17
  • Revelation 1:5-6
  • Revelation 2:8
  • Revelation 21:5
  • Revelation 22:13
Book Number:
  • 722

Jesus, be first in everything,
our Saviour, risen Lord!
Jesus, the One alone supreme,
be everywhere adored.

2. Jesus, the One for whom was made
the universe so vast;
God’s mighty power lives in you,
O Christ, the first and last.

3. Head of the church, you died for us-
your precious blood was shed;
Jesus, through you we come to God,
O firstborn from the dead.

4. Jesus, you break the barriers down,
O reconciling King.
You have the right to wear the crown,
supreme in everything.

5. Jesus, be first in word and deed-
in thought and motive too;
fulfil your purpose in our hearts,
creating all things new.

6. Jesus, the glorious day will come
when every knee shall bow.
Help us to bring your kingdom near
by telling others now.

© Author/Praise Trust
Tony Coombe

The Christian Life - Love for Christ

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Tune

  • Jesus First
    Jesus First
    Metre:
    • CM (Common Metre: 86 86)
    Composer:
    • Coombe, James Anthony (Tony)

The story behind the hymn

A new section ‘Love for Christ’ opens with a hymn published here for the first time. James Anthony (Tony) Coombe wrote its words and music in 1973, with each verse starting ‘Jesus …’, after ‘a special anointing of the Holy Spirit’ while he was vicar of the parish of St Michael and All Angels, Southfields, SW London. In 1997–98 the church celebrated a ‘rolling centenary’, from its plans to the official consecration, and the then vicar David Casiot resurrected the hymn for several services of celebration. It was sung morning and evening on 26 April 1998, on the following Sunday when the writer returned as a visiting preacher, and on other special occasions. The text includes many NT references and illustrates its author’s evangelistic concern; the foundation-stone of St Michael’s, laid in 1897, is inscribed ‘To the glory of God and the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom’. Its words can be summed up by Colossians 1:18; other themes from Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians are woven into them.

The hymn was suggested for Praise! by one who heard it in its original setting, and it was included in a sample recording of items from the book. The tune was named JESUS FIRST by its composer.

A look at the author

Coombe, James Anthony (Tony)

b Brixton, S London 1931. d October 2018. He read Maths at Emmanuel Coll Cambridge (BA/MA) and studied Theology at Tyndale Hall, Bristol (London BD 1960). Ordained (CofE) 1960; after curacies at Chadderton, Lancs (Gtr Manchester) and St George’s Worthing, Sussex, he served as Vicar of St Michael and All Angels’, Wandsworth, S London, from 1965 to 1974, to whose centenary celebrations he contributed and which he attended in 1998. His parish ministry continued at Warboys (1974–87), St Ives, Broughton and other villages in Cambs until he retired to Hythe, Kent, in 1996. He is a composer as well as an author. No.722.