ALL HAIL THE POWER

We live in an age when power is important to all sorts of people. For some it is the power of huge machines - fast cars, rockets, bombs, jets. For some it is the power of technology with fast computer speeds, huge memory banks, and internet connections. For others it is the power of money and the possessions they can buy. And for some it is the power of postion, jobs, and contacts. But all of those pale when compared to the power of the name of Jesus which can save the worst sinner, change wretched lives, and provide hope for the future. This week's hymn reminds us of that power. It is sometimes called the "National Anthem of Christendom" and it has been sung by many denominations for centuries. In the November, 1799, issue of The Gospel Magazine, there appeared an anonymous hymn entitled "On the Resurrection, the Lord is King": All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. The author, it was later revealed, was Reverend Edward Perronet. Edward's Protestant grandparents had fled Catholic France, going first to Switzerland then to England. Edward's father had become a vicar in the Anglican Church, and Edward followed in his footsteps. For several years, he became closely allied with the Wesleys, traveling with them and sometimes caught up in their adventures. In John Wesley's journal, we find this entry: "Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire. Stones were hurled and windows broken." In time, however, Edward broke with the Wesleys over various Methodist policies, and John Wesley excluded his hymns from Methodist hymnals. Edward went off to pastor a small independent church in Canterbury, where he died on January 22, 1792. There are many stories told about the influence of this hymn, but none more interesting than this one. Rev. E. P. Scott, missionary to India, wrote of trying to reach a savage tribe in the Indian subcontinent. Ignoring the pleadings of his friends, he set off into the dangerous territory. Several days later, he met a large party of warriors who surrounded him, their spears pointed at his heart. Expecting to die at any moment, Scott took out his violin, breathed a prayer, closed his eyes, and began singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" When he reached the words, "Let every kindred, every tribe," he opened his eyes. There stood the warriors, some in tears, every spear lowered. Scott spent the next two years evangelizing the tribe. And such is the power of the name of Jesus.

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

Listen to an upbeat version of this hymn sung by the group Avalon. LISTEN