Crown Him with Many Crowns
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne
A majestic hymn of praise to Christ as King, drawing on Revelation imagery of the crowned Lamb upon the throne (Rev 19:12). Each stanza crowns Christ with a different title: the Lamb who died, Lord of life, Lord of peace, Lord of years, Lord of lords. The hymn moves systematically through Christology — incarnation, resurrection, ascension, and eternal reign.
History & Background
Written by Matthew Bridges (1800-1894), an English poet who converted from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism. The original six stanzas appeared in The Passion of Jesus (1852). Godfrey Thring (1823-1903) wrote alternative stanzas in 1874 to avoid the Roman Catholic theological emphases of Bridges. The version used in most Protestant hymnals blends stanzas from both authors. The tune DIADEMATA was composed specifically for this text by George Job Elvey (1816-1893) in 1868.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 855
- Gather 4th Edition — 626
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 170
- Lutheran Service Book — 525
- Lutheran Worship — 278
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 341
Bulletin Note
Crown Him with Many Crowns — Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring, 1851/1874
Preaching Connection
Each stanza crowns Christ with a different title, connecting to the many names of Christ throughout scripture.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's exaltation from incarnation through resurrection to eternal lordship; progressive crowning of the Lamb in majesty, redemption, love, and life
Themes
Christ as King Praise Doxology Coronation Lordship of Christ Revelation imagery