SOME CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS TIMELESS

One of the great hymns published in 1780 is also a modern praise song.

ALL HAIL THE POWER is often referred to as the “National Anthem of Christendom” and alludes to the Scripture verses Philippians 2:9-11 KJV

“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.”

This hymn, a declaration of praise to the majesty and glory of God, was written by Edward Perronet. He was the son of a pastor in the State Church of England who was aligned with the evangelical movement that the Wesley brothers and George Whitfield began.

Edward was also a minister in the Anglican Church until he broke with that denomination. During the 1740’s and 1750’s he became an ardent follower of the Wesleys. However, free thinking Perronet later separated from the Wesleys and became and remained a pastor of an independent church in Canterbury, England until his death in 1792. While Perronet wrote other hymns, this is probably his best known.

The hymn, also known as ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME, has three main tunes for this hymn: my favorite, CORONATION, often found in many American hymnals, DIADEM, found in hymnals from Great Britain, and MILES LANE. CORONATION features a sturdier marching feel, while DIADEM is more ornate and includes elaborate harmonies. MILES LANE has a wide range melodically.

As I researched this hymn, I noticed that different numbers of

stanzas appear in various hymnals and even the wording is changed slightly. Below are the lyrics for the hymn as I know it. Also included are two “YouTube” links to demonstrate how different this lovely hymn can sound, both with the Coronation melody.

All hail the power of Jesus' name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,

ye ransomed from the fall,

hail Him who saves you by his grace,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him who saves you by his grace,

and 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 Lord of all.

Go spread your trophies at his feet,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe

on this terrestrial ball,

to Him all majesty ascribe,

and crown Him Lord of all.

To Him all majesty ascribe,

and 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 Lord of all.

Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod,

and crown Him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng

we at His feet may fall!

We'll join the everlasting song,

and crown Him Lord of all.

We'll join the everlasting song,

                                        and crown Him Lord of all.

This is the Praise Coronation version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itUNSwS4q9E

This is the traditional Coronation version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh387fx8cqo