Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
(Phil 2:5-11)
Mothers and fathers give their children names, often, in hopes of
predetermining a certain quality of character of the namesake. Michael is a
common boy’s name which is called after the great Archangel of God called
Michael. Mary is a name commonly given girls to hopefully attest to that same
virtuous character of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Names are important. It was
customary of the father to name the son and, appropriately, God the Father gave
Jesus His Name before He was yet conceived in the womb of the Virgin. “And,
behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call
his name JESUS.” (Luke 1:31) The name is from the Hebrew,
Jehoshua – or Joshua, or, in the Greek, Jesus. The meaning of the
name is “God’s Salvation!” How appropriate!
The hymn today is often referred to as the ‘National Anthem of the Church,’ and
certainly the Church constitutes a New Nation and Kingdom – the Kingdom of
Heaven – of which all who are true disciples of Jesus are citizens. Though
customary to stand during the singing of all hymns in the church, it is almost
impossible to remain seated during the playing of the majestic and heavenly
strains of this anthem hymn.
The lyrics were composed by Edward Perronet and first appeared as a published
work in 1779. The most popular and rousing tune to which this great hymn is
sung is Coronation by Oliver Holden. Alternate tunes are Diadem
(Ellor) and Miles Lane (Shrubsole) – Miles is a common corruption
for St. Michael’s Church which stood on Miles Lane near London.
There is an interesting story associated with the hymn published by
CyberHymnal:
One
of the most dramatic instances of [this hymn’s] use was found in the experience
of the Rev. E. P. Scott in India. His friends had urged him not to venture near
a certain barbarous inland tribe, whom he wished to evangelize. But he went
forth with high courage, never wavering in his duty, and trusting in God to protect
him. When at last he reached their country among the hills, he came upon a company
of these savages. Immediately they surrounded him, pointing their spears at him
with threatening scowls. He had nothing in his hand but his violin; and so,
closing his eyes, he began to play and sing, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’
Name.” When at last he opened his eyes he expected to be killed instantly. But
his life had been spared through the singing of the hymn. Their spears had
dropped, and they received him first with curiosity and interest, and then later
with eagerness, as he told them the gospel story and won their hearts to the
will of Jesus Christ.
All Hail the Power of Jesus'
Name
All hail the power of Jesus'
name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
to crown him, crown him, crown
him Lord of all!
Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as
they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and
crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and
crown Him Lord of all.
(not
included in Hymnal)
Crown him, ye morning stars of
light,
who fixed this floating ball;
now hail the Strength of Israel's
might,
and crown him, crown him, crown
him Lord of all!
Crown him ye martyrs of your God,
who from his altar call:
extol the stem of Jesse's rod,
and crown him, crown him, crown
him Lord of all!
Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
ye ransomed of the fall,
hail him who saves you by his
grace.
and crown him, crown him, crown
him Lord of all!
Hail him, ye heirs of David's
line,
whom David Lord did call,
the God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown him, crown him, crown
him Lord of all!
Sinners, whose love can ne'er
forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go spread your trophies at his
feet,
and crown him, crown him, crown
him Lord of all!
Let every tribe and every tongue
that bound creation's call,
now shout in universal song
the crowned, the crowned, the
crowned Lord of all!
“All
hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal
diadem, to crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!” It is true that EVERY knee
shall bow at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ – some in ecstasy, and others
in horror. The hosts of Heaven worship Him whose Name is Salvation and whose
DIADEM is love and beauty. “In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a
crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people.”
(Isaiah 28:5)
“Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it,
fall Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all. Before
His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.” As stated above, this verse does not appear
in the 1940 Hymnal but was included in the original work. It is beautiful for
meaning and disappointing that it was omitted. The angels and seraphs fall down
in unison to worship the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. He it is that places
the song in the hearts of choirs - both angelic and mortal.
“Crown him,
ye morning stars of light, who fixed this floating ball; now hail the Strength
of Israel's might, and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!” At the
moment of their creation, the morning stars (angels of antiquity) sang together
– there heavenly voices reverberating from one quarter of heaven to the other –
as they beheld the beauty at the early dawn of God’s Creation. “When the
morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job
38:7)
“Crown him
ye martyrs of your God, who from his altar call: extol the stem of Jesse's rod,
and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!” The martyrs of God, many
of whom were martyred by the false church of Revelations 17, call from the dust
of the earth unto the Lord: “I saw under the altar the souls of them that
were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And
they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”
(Rev 6:9-10)
“Ye seed of
Israel's chosen race, ye ransomed of the fall, hail him who saves you by his
grace. and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!” Are you the seed
of Israel’s chosen race? If you belong to Christ, you certainly are! “For
the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to
his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they
which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none
effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no
transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end
the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which
is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the
father of us all.” (Romans
4:13-16) We were
all fallen in our federal head who was Adam, but we are all made alive to
salvation by grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Hail him,
ye heirs of David's line, whom David Lord did call, the God incarnate, Man
divine, and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!” Being heirs of
the promise given unto father Abraham, and consummated through the sacrifice of
our Lord Jesus Christ, we also shall fall heir to the royal line of David in
Christ. David, too, knew Him and looked toward the Morning Star of the distant
horizon for his own salvation. “As for me, I will behold thy face in
righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalms
17:15)
“Sinners,
whose love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall, go spread your trophies
at his feet, and crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of all!” SINNERS!
Thank God, He included you and me for “While we were yet dead in
trespasses and sin, Christ died for us.” Remember how He suffered for
us without a single word of regret; how He suffered the lashes of the whip; the
lacerating spurs of the crown of thorns; the humiliation of being publicly stripped
and displayed for all to see on His agonizing cross; how He thirsted for water
but refused the wine – all for you!
“Let every
tribe and every tongue that bound creation's call, now shout in universal song
the crowned, the crowned, the crowned Lord of all!” We may not care for
those Christians of other lands of different races and tribes who languish
under the hard persecution of cruel oppressors; and, if so, we will not enjoy
the company of Heaven which is comprised of such – first and foremost! “And
I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel
to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred,
and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to
him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Rev
14:6-7) Will your
soul be present among that gathering?
This is truly a glorious hymn of the Church. Let us all
stand, not only on our feet, but in our hearts, when the strains of this
majestic anthem are sounded.
