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All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name is a hymn text. Found in elw 634, gather4 616, lbw 329, lsb 549. Sung to CORONATION.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 634
  • Gather 4th Edition — 616
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 329
  • Lutheran Service Book — 549
  • Lutheran Worship — 272
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 339

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Universal acclamation of Christ's lordship across all creation and redemption history

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A coronation hymn in which every group in heaven and earth is summoned to 'crown Him Lord of all': angels (1), martyrs (2), Israel (3), heirs of David (4), redeemed sinners (5), every tribe (6), and finally we ourselves (7). It is a doxology of Christ's universal lordship, with a striking Gospel center in st. 3 and 5 (ransomed from the Fall; sinners who remember the wormwood and gall).

Central theme: Universal acclamation of Jesus as Lord of all

Structure

A roll-call of worshipers; each stanza ends 'And crown Him Lord of all.'

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: those who crown him are the ransomed and forgiven.

Confessional Connections

Christ's exaltation and lordship (Second Article: 'that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom'). 'God incarnate, Man divine' (FC VIII).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Ascension; Christ the King; Reformation; festive openings; missions.

Historical Notes

Perronet (1726-1792) was associated with the Wesleys before breaking with them. First published in the Gospel Magazine (1779-1780); John Rippon reshaped it in 1787.

About the Tune

CORONATION (Oliver Holden, 1793) — the oldest American hymn tune still in wide use.

Scripture References

Phil 2:9-11 Rev 19:12, 16 Rev 6:9-10 Isa 11:1 Matt 22:41-45 Rev 5:9-10 Rev 7:9-12 Acts 10:36

Stanza by Stanza

1 All hail the power of Jesus' name…

Hail the power of Jesus' name; let angels fall prostrate; bring the royal crown and crown him Lord of all.

'The name that is above every name' (Phil 2:9-10). Angels prostrate (Rev 5:11-12; Heb 1:6). 'Royal diadem' (Rev 19:12, 'on his head are many diadems'). The refrain 'Lord of all' echoes Acts 10:36 and Rom 10:12.

Scripture
Phil 2:9-10, Heb 1:6, Rev 19:12, Acts 10:36, Rom 10:12
Imagery & language
Name; prostrate angels; diadem.
Law / Gospel
Doxology.
Connection to previous
First summons: angels.
lordship of Christ name of Jesus angels
2 Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God…

Martyrs who cry from God's altar, praise the Stem of Jesse and crown him Lord of all.

The souls of the martyrs under the altar (Rev 6:9-10) — those who died for him crown him. 'Stem of Jesse's rod' (Isa 11:1) — the Davidic Messiah.

Scripture
Rev 6:9-10, Isa 11:1, Rev 2:10
Imagery & language
Martyrs; altar; stem of Jesse.
Law / Gospel
Doxology.
Connection to previous
Second: martyrs.
martyrs Messiah
3 Ye seed of Israel's chosen race…

Children of Israel's chosen people, ransomed from the Fall, hail the one who saves you by grace and crown him.

Israel and, in a wider sense, the church as the new Israel (Gal 3:29; 6:16). 'Ransomed from the Fall' — redemption from the consequences of Adam's sin (Rom 5:12-19). 'Who saves you by His grace' (Eph 2:8) — the hymn's clearest Gospel line.

Scripture
Gal 3:29, Gal 6:16, Rom 5:12-19, Eph 2:8
Imagery & language
Chosen race; ransom.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — redemption by grace.
Connection to previous
Third: Israel.
Israel redemption grace
4 Hail Him, ye heirs of David's line…

Heirs of David, hail him whom David called Lord — God incarnate, divine man — and crown him.

Matt 22:41-45: David calls his descendant 'Lord' (Ps 110:1). The paradox is answered: Christ is David's son according to the flesh and David's Lord as God. 'The God incarnate, Man divine' — the personal union of the two natures (FC VIII).

Scripture
Matt 22:41-45, Ps 110:1, Rom 1:3-4, John 1:14
Imagery & language
David's line; Lord.
Law / Gospel
Doxology — Christology.
Connection to previous
Fourth: heirs of David.
two natures Davidic Messiah
5 Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget…

Sinners who can never forget the wormwood and gall of his suffering, lay your trophies at his feet and crown him.

Forgiven sinners love much (Luke 7:47). 'Wormwood and gall' — the bitterness of Christ's Passion (Lam 3:19; Matt 27:34), and perhaps of their own sin. 'Spread your trophies at His feet' — whatever we have won or are proud of belongs at his feet (Rev 4:10, crowns cast down).

Scripture
Luke 7:47, Lam 3:19, Matt 27:34, Rev 4:10
Imagery & language
Wormwood and gall; trophies.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — forgiven sinners.
Connection to previous
Fifth: redeemed sinners.
forgiveness love Passion
6 Let every kindred, every tribe…

Every family and tribe on this earth should ascribe majesty to him and crown him.

Rev 5:9; 7:9 — every tribe and nation. The Gospel's universal scope and the church's mission (Matt 28:19).

Scripture
Rev 5:9, Rev 7:9, Matt 28:19, Ps 22:27
Imagery & language
Terrestrial ball; every tribe.
Law / Gospel
Doxology — universal.
Connection to previous
Sixth: all nations.
mission universality
7 Oh, that with yonder sacred throng…

May we, with the heavenly throng, fall at his feet and join the everlasting song, crowning him Lord of all.

The singers themselves join the heavenly company (Rev 7:9-12; Heb 12:22-23). The prayer turns the roll-call into personal hope.

Scripture
Rev 7:9-12, Heb 12:22-23, Rev 5:13
Imagery & language
Sacred throng; everlasting song.
Law / Gospel
Doxology and hope.
Connection to previous
Final: ourselves.
heavenly worship communion of saints

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