Every Tribe Every Nation

Phil King and Christ For The Nations Worship lead “Every Tribe Every Nation” as a welcome to the presence of God. The first verse asks the people to prepare: “Make way for the King of Glory, make room for His presence here, with honor and adoration, we welcome You.” The second verse describes the room as “an open heaven” and says their hearts are “here and waiting.”

The chorus borrows from an ancient psalm of entry, with the call, “Be lifted up, you ancient gates.” The worshipers say they lift their heads and set their faces, “desperate to see Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” The third verse names Jesus as the firm foundation and the cornerstone, and asks him to make the congregation his dwelling place: “We are Your home.” The bridge widens the view beyond the room, with the words “every tribe, every nation,” and a picture of God shaking things one by one. The song is built for a gathering that wants to prepare the way for God and expects him to move among them. Its repeated lines give the congregation space to wait, welcome and pray.

The gates lifted up for the King of Glory are in Psalm 24:7. The cornerstone is 1 Peter 2:6, and believers built into a dwelling place for God is Ephesians 2:20-22.