“SOVEREIGN RULER OF THE SKIES”
Words & Music: John Ryland (1753-1825) , Gaylyn Foto,
Katelyn Foto, & Jonathan Monk
Some would call it, “happenstance”, others, “serendipitous”, but we call it, “God’s providence”. The lyrics of “Sovereign Ruler of the Skies” were brought to our attention one afternoon of March, 2020. As our Mom was scrolling through Facebook, she paused to read a text posted by our pastor, Dr. Tom Hicks. Being struck by its power, she quickly called Gaylyn and me (Katelyn) over to her computer as she began again to read the lyrics of “Sovereign Ruler of the Skies”…but this time out-loud. Each line kept speaking to our hearts more than the previous, and so without a doubt, we knew it must go on the album, “Faithful”. We tweaked a few lines, added a chorus, and did our best to construct a new and fitting melody.
We fought back tears then during the recording process, and continue to fight back tears today as the words spill out of our mouths week after week. If for no one else, “Sovereign Ruler of the Skies” holds a message our family has needed during these days more than ever. But we also pray, that as it has ministered to us, so also it will be an encouragement to others.
(See below for more resources regarding this old hymn.)
Download hymn lyrics HERE
Download sheet music HERE
Sovereign Ruler of the skies Ever gracious, ever wise All my times are in Your hand All events at Your command His decree, Who formed the earth Fixed my first and second birth Now my life to Him I owe Where He leads me I will go CHORUS: Ever Faithful Ever True Keep my heart to only You Since I cannot part from Thee Sovereign Ruler ever be Plagues and deaths around me fly Till He bids, I cannot die Not a single shaft can hit Till the God of love thinks fit Times the tempter's power to prove Times to taste a Savior's love All must come and last and end As shall please my heavenly Friend CHORUS He that formed me in the womb He shall guide me to the tomb All my times shall ever be Ordered by His wise decree CHORUS Thee, at all times, will I bless Having Thee, I all possess Since I cannot part from Thee Sovereign Ruler ever be
OTHER HYMN RESOURCES
Truth for Life with Alistair Begg
Behind the Scenes of “Sovereign Ruler of the Skies”
© 2022 Getty Music | 2020 Foto Score Music
Arrangement: Foto Score Music (BMI) / Kevko Music (BMI) (admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC) / McKinney Music, Ltd. (BMI) (admin. by Music Services) / Kent Hooper Music (ASCAP)
Comments 3
Marvelous!
As one who has some hearing loss, it would be helpful to havethe words on the video
Just learned of your music ministry today from a podcast I was listening to. Got home and looked you up on you tube and my wife and I set mesmerized to every video we watched and listened to. I see you are going to be at a church in Jacksonville fl in dec. for a Christmas program. We live in Tampa Bay Area and hope you can come to our Area in the near future. Keep writing and making great music.