Scripture References:
st. = Rev. 4:11

Based on Revelation 4: 11, "You Are Worthy" is a setting of one of several doxologies recorded in God's revelation to the apostle John on the island of Patmos. This doxology is sung by the twenty-four elders gathered around God's throne. Usually taken to be representatives of all of God's people, these elders lay their crowns before the throne as a sign of their submission to God's rule and then burst into song, praising God for his creative acts. A similar "You are worthy. . ." occurs in Revelation 5 (233, st. 2)–a doxology praising the Lamb's redemptive acts.

Pauline Michael Mills (b. Portland, IN, 1898) drew the versification almost verbatim from the King James Version in 1963. She reported that she composed the tune "on the spot" at a church meeting "somewhere in Oregon." The song was published in the chorus book Asaph Praise (1964), and the language was cast into more modern English in Hymns for Today’s Church (1982), along with minor adjustments in the music. These revisions were adopted for publication in the Psalter Hymnal.

A graduate of the L.I.F.E. Bible School, Mills became an ordained minister in the Foursquare International Church. She served as a music director and exhorter in various churches and traveled widely, ministering to women's groups. Mills has written over three hundred Scripture songs and love songs, some of which were published in Asaph Psalter (1970).

Liturgical Use:
As a doxology or acclamation; as a frame around another song (for example, the Te Deum, 504).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

WORTHY is a simple chorus that is best sung unaccompanied and in harmony performance tempos on this song vary immensely, but bear in mind that it must not be rushed. Keep one pulse per measure. The song must convey a sense of dignity, awe, and majesty. It is common in the tradition of Scripture singing to repeat such a chorus. It is also common to add more stanzas. Here is one example:

You are worthy, you are worthy,
you are worthy, O Lord!
You are worthy to receive glory, glory and honor and power:
for you have redeemed us,
from all tribes and nations,
for you purchased us with your blood, to be your servants, ruling creation; you are worthy, 0 Lord!

-Revelation 4: 11a; 5: 9-10; vers. Bert Polman, 1987

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook