NEWS PROVIDED BY
James F. Linzey, Chaplain (MAJOR), USA (Ret.)
April 28, 2025

WASHINGTON D.C., April 28, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ — The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Hymn, a long-standing musical emblem of Allied unity, has been newly complemented with sacred lyrics in time for the European Congress on Evangelism 2025. Held on May 27-30, 2025, this will be Europe’s largest gathering of Christian leaders concerning evangelism in 25 years. U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJOR) James F. Linzey, USA (Ret.), a Southern Baptist minister, former conductor of the United States Army Soldiers Choir at Fort Lee, Virginia, and graduate of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, has composed formal lyrics, marking a historic milestone in the hymn’s distinguished history.

Originally written by Captain André Reichling of the Luxembourg Military Band in 1989 to commemorate NATO’s fortieth anniversary, the hymn was officially adopted as an instrumental anthem in 2018. Now, Linzey’s sacred lyrics draw on Psalm 8 and George Frideric Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, bringing a new spiritual dimension to NATO’s official music. This rendition of the hymn and imagery are not in any way endorsed by NATO, nor are they official publications of NATO.

Completed in four hours, the lyrics are intended for use in military chapels, NATO-related ceremonies, and solemn international events. They emphasize reverence, unity, and the sovereignty of God—values Linzey believes are consistent with NATO’s ideals. The repeated invocation of "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" gives the hymn a majestic cadence fitting for formal assemblies.

Rear Admiral Bennett S. Sparks, USCG, former Secretary General of the Congress of International Reservists (Chartered by NATO), said concerning Linzey: "Chaplain Jim Linzey shows the military, the common person, executives, and the clergy how to lead on the job or at home. Linzey pulls no punches in leadership, professionalism, or integrity."

The addition of sacred lyrics to the NATO Hymn reflects the virtues of honor, peace, justice, and freedom among nations.

Lyrics:

King of kings and Lord of lords,
How great is Thy Name!
Thy glory crowns the skies
With eternal flame.

Above all the heavens,
Thy splendor soars;
All the earth and seas proclaim:
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!

By the lips of little ones
Thy mighty strength is sung;
Thy strength prevails,
Thy strength prevails,
Thy strength prevails against the evil one.

Crowned with grace, we rise and stand
Beneath Thy mighty hand,
Proclaiming all Thy wondrous works
Throughout the earth and land.

King of kings and Lord of lords,
Thou wilt always reign;
Let every voice in awe proclaim:
“We exalt Thy Name!”

Linzey believes that hymns are always sacred pieces. “NATO Hymn” means it is a musical piece in praise only to God according to Linzey and how he reads the dictionary. He therefore believes the title merits sacred lyrics.

Linzey also wrote the United States Space Force Hymn (Creator of the Universe), corrected the musical timing of the official United States Air Force Hymn (Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly), authored one of the U.S. military’s institutional prayers (The Leader’s Training Course Prayer), hosted Operation Freedom television broadcasts, and serves as chief editor of the Modern English Version Bible translation.

"This rendition of the hymn and imagery are not in any way endorsed by NATO, nor are they official publications of NATO."

SOURCE Chaplain James F. Linzey, USA (Ret.)

CONTACT:  760-855-3905, militarybibleassociation@gmail.com