King of Glory, King of Peace

George Herbert popped up this morning in the Anglican calendar.

I have always been a great fan.  And what I like best is the extraordinary economy with which he writes.  I do a bit with words myself – but look at a hymn like King of Glory and marvel and how much he does with single-syllable words.  Amazing.

Only equalled by my all-time favourite, Charles Wesley’s ‘Forth in thy name O Lord I go’ – which passes the same test.   ‘Thee only thee resolved to know/In all I speak or think or do’