All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Nearly 250 years ago, Edward Perronet published these words in the Gospel Magazine to the tune “Miles Lane”:

"All hail! the pow'r of Jesus’ Name;

Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the Royal Diadem,

To crown him Lord of all."

In the following Spring, 1780, the above verse and the rest of the hymn appeared in the Magazine. Since then, hundreds of hymnals have published Perronet’s hymn with several variations in lyrics, and thousands of churches (including CFNW) have, in unison, raised this very song to praise our Lord and King Jesus Christ. 

Edward Perronet grew up a Reverend’s son and minister in the Church of England, yet became a “dissenter,” separating himself from the Church and later leading a small flock as a Protestant pastor. Perronet’s family was close with the Whitefields and Wesleys, Edward himself appearing in the writings of John Wesley as a fiery, argumentative theologian. By God’s grace, Perronet’s strong, coronal poem guides our musical worship in this twenty-first century. 

Here are the remaining lyrics as published in 1780:

"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.

Crown Him ye morning stars of light,
Who fix'd this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel's might,
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.

Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
Ye ransom'd of the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And 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 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.

Let every tribe and every tongue
That bound creation's call,
Now shout in universal song,
The crowned Lord of all.”

This hymn honors Christ as King of Angels, Creator of the Earth, Justifier of Martyrs, Promised Son of David, God Incarnate, and Eternal Lord of all. We sing of the reign of Jesus in Heaven during mankind’s patient wait for a Savior after their fall, His birth, which fulfilled God’s faithful word, and His everlasting Kingdom, which will culminate in a glorious chorus from “every tribe and tongue”!

Hail Him who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all!

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” Hymnary.org, hymnary.org/text/all_hail_the_power_of_jesus_name_let.