Edward Perronet's majestic hymn, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," is among the most frequently published hymns in the United States. Since its first American appearance in two hymnals (Baptist and Universalist) in 1792, it has been included in some 2,300 American collections. It has been widely translated for use by Christians around the world. The hymn is often called the "National Anthem of Christendom." The son of an Anglican vicar who actively supported the evangelicalism of the Wesleys, Edward Perronet worked for a time with the Methodists. His disagreements with the Wesleys over the relationship of Methodism with the Anglican Church resulted in Perronet's severing his ties to the Methodism. He accepted the pastorate of a small Congregational church in Canterbury where he remained until his death in 1792. Throughout his life, Perronet wrote hymns, publishing them anonymously in small collections. Perronet wrote "All Hail the Power" in 1779. He published (anonymously) the first stanza with a tune, MILES LANE (also anonymous), in The Gospel Magazine for November 1779. In April 1780, the same magazine reprinted the hymn with eight stanzas and another reference to MILES LANE as a suitable tune. Later it was reprinted many times and verses were often added or deleted. The authorship of the original hymn remained in question for nearly a century. It took less time to establish that the familiar English setting, MILES LANE, was the work of William Shrubsole, a nineteen-year-old organist and chorister in Canterbury, and Perronet's close friend. "All Hail the Power" is perhaps the only hymn regularly published in American hymnals with three tunes. This hymn also has a place in missionary history, being greatly used in evangelistic endeavors. Rev. E. P. Scott, for example, 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. Here are four of the most commonly sung verses. Sing them as you worship Him today.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. 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.
4. 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.
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