Ida Lillard Reed Grave

Hymn History: I Belong to the King & Author: Ida Lillard Reed

“Reed is said to have written 2,000 hymns in her lifetime. … In 1939, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers recognized her ‘substantial contribution to American music’ by awarding her a small weekly “bonus.”
(Hymnary)

The Origin of the Hymn “I Belong to the King”

“I Belong to the King” is one of the cherished hymns from the early 20th century, expressing a Christian’s confidence in their relationship with Christ and their eternal inheritance as a child of God. Written by Ida L. Reed (1865–1951), a prolific hymnwriter from the Appalachian region of West Virginia, the song captures the assurance, peace, and joy that come from belonging to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. Like many of Reed’s hymns, it reflects the simple, steadfast faith of mountain Christians whose devotion to God shaped their daily lives.

The Hymnwriter: Ida L. Reed

Ida Lilliard Reed was born in Barbour County, West Virginia, in 1865. She was raised in humble circumstances, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Her early life was marked by hardship, but those difficulties forged a deep and abiding faith in God. From her youth, Reed had a passion for writing poems and hymns that expressed the hope and comfort she found in the Lord.

Without formal musical training and often in poor health, she composed more than 2,000 hymns during her lifetime, many of which were published in gospel songbooks used in revival meetings and Sunday schools across America. Despite her modest means, Reed’s writings reached far beyond her small mountain home. Her songs emphasized trust in Christ, heavenly citizenship, and the believer’s personal relationship with God.

“I Belong to the King” remains one of her best-known works and continues to appear in hymnals well over a century after its composition.

The Origin and Inspiration

The exact year Ida L. Reed wrote “I Belong to the King” is uncertain, though it first appeared in print in the early 1900s. The hymn reflects Reed’s conviction that Christians are not defined by their earthly conditions but by their spiritual heritage in Christ. Living in poverty and physical frailty, Reed often spoke of her “riches in Christ” as her greatest possession.

According to accounts from those who knew her, Reed wrote the hymn after meditating on Romans 8:17:

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”

This verse deeply moved her, for it reminded her that no matter how little she owned in this world, she was rich in the promises of God. The theme of belonging — of being adopted into the royal family of Heaven — became the heart of her hymn.

The first verse proclaims this assurance:

I belong to the King, I’m a child of His love,
I shall dwell in His palace so fair;
For He tells of its bliss in yon heaven above,
And His children in splendor shall share.

The tone is both personal and triumphant. Reed’s simple poetry captures a believer’s gratitude for salvation and the anticipation of eternal life with Christ.

Musical Setting and Publication

“I Belong to the King” was set to music by James Henry Fillmore Sr. (1849–1936), one of the most influential gospel composers and publishers of his time. Fillmore, known for his collaborations with writers such as Eliza Hewitt and Jessie Brown Pounds, recognized the spiritual sincerity of Reed’s text and matched it with a melody that was both joyful and reverent.

The hymn was published by the Fillmore Brothers Publishing Company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was a leading publisher of gospel music during that era. Through the Fillmores’ efforts, the song reached a national audience and was soon included in popular hymn collections used by revivalists, evangelists, and local congregations.

The Message of the Hymn

“I Belong to the King” expresses three key themes: divine ownership, heavenly inheritance, and faithful hope. Reed contrasts earthly poverty with heavenly riches, reminding believers that their true identity is found in their relationship with Christ, not in worldly status.

The refrain summarizes this thought beautifully:

I belong to the King, I’m a child of His love,
And He never forsaketh His own;
He will call me some day to His palace above,
I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

Here, Reed affirms that believers are both loved and protected in this life, and destined for glory in the life to come. The language of royal imagery — “palace,” “throne,” “child of His love” — evokes the joy and dignity of being part of God’s family.

Reception and Legacy

The hymn was warmly received in both urban and rural congregations. Its hopeful tone resonated particularly with those who faced economic hardship, illness, or loss — the very audiences among whom gospel hymns flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Over the years, “I Belong to the King” was recorded by numerous gospel quartets and soloists. Its message of divine adoption has continued to appeal to Christians who find comfort in the assurance of belonging to Christ.

Ida L. Reed herself became something of a symbol of quiet perseverance and unwavering faith. Though she lived her entire life in the Appalachian Mountains, her hymns traveled far beyond, bringing comfort to people she would never meet. Her writings were later collected and published, and she was recognized by various church organizations for her contribution to American hymnody.

Conclusion

“I Belong to the King” stands as a timeless expression of Christian identity and hope. Through the pen of Ida L. Reed and the melody of James H. Fillmore, this hymn reminds believers that their worth is not measured by earthly possessions but by their relationship with the King of Heaven.

Written by a woman of humble means but great faith, the song continues to echo across generations, proclaiming that every believer, no matter their circumstances, can joyfully say — “I belong to the King.”