Sovereign Lord: A Word About a Word
Now dismiss Your servant
in peace."
The Greek word translated “Sovereign Lord” is despotēs (pronounced DES-po-tace). This word can sound harsh to modern ears because our English word “despot” means a cruel ruler. But the Bible uses the word very differently. Understanding this word helps us understand God’s character and how we relate to Him.
Let’s look at what despotēs means in the Bible, and why it is good news for us.
Despotēs means "Owner" and "Master"
n Greek culture, despotēs described a person who had complete ownership and full authority over a household. Servants belonged to this master, and the master was expected to provide for and protect them.
In the Bible, the word still means complete authority, but it also shows care and responsibility. When Simeon calls God despotēs, he is saying:
- You own my life.
- You rule with wisdom and care.
- I belong to You.
Simeon continues:
“Now dismiss Your servant in peace.”
He is not saying, “I’m ready to die because I am finished with my work.”
He is saying, “You, God, control my life and my death. I can trust You with both.”
This is a very important idea:
Because God is the Sovereign Lord, believers do not need to fear death.
A life that belongs to God is a life that is safe—
even in its final moments.
Only the Sovereign Lord Shows His Power Through Salvation
After calling God despotēs, Simeon says:
The Sovereign Lord does not show His rule through violence, government power, or fear. He shows His rule by saving His people.
Simeon waited for the coming of the Promised Savior to receive him when he arrived.
Salvation is not something we earn.
Salvation is not something we achieve. Salvation is something we receive.
The Sovereign Lord Owns the Church and Our Hearts
In the New Testament, the word despotēs is sometimes used to refer to human masters. When this happens, the Bible makes something very clear:
Human masters have limited authority.
- Only God has complete authority.
So even when Christians submit to leaders, employers, or governments, they do so because they first belong to the Sovereign Lord. We respect authority, but we never worship it. We obey leaders, but we do not give them our hearts. Our final loyalty belongs to God alone.
The Sovereign Lord Gives Peace to Those Who Trust Him
Simeon can die in peace because:
God has kept His promise.
- God has sent His salvation.
- God rules his life, his death, and his future.
He does not need answers to every question.
He does not need the world to change yet.
He has seen the Lord’s Christ.
That is enough.
This is why the title despotēs is good news:
We are not lost.
- We are not ownerless.
- We do not need to carry our own lives alone.
- We belong to Someone wiser, stronger, and kinder than we are.
To call God “Sovereign Lord” is not to fear Him.
It is to rest in Him.
What Despotēs Means for Us Today
When we pray, “Sovereign Lord,” we are saying:
- I am not in charge of my life—You are.
- You know better.
- I trust Your timing.
- I trust Your promises.
- My future is safe with You.
This is especially important during Advent. We are waiting, just like Simeon waited. And like him, we wait with hope because:
Christ has come.
- Christ is coming again.
- The Sovereign Lord keeps all His promises.
We live in a world full of leaders, governments, systems, and powers. Some are unfair. Some are corrupt. Some cannot help us at all.
But there is only one Sovereign Lord.
You do not need to understand everything today.
You do not need to control everything tomorrow.
You simply need to trust the One who owns you, loves you, and saves you.
True peace begins when we say,
“Sovereign Lord, my life belongs to You.”
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