Hymns of Hope and Comfort: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

During this time of fear and uncertainty in the COVID-19 wilderness, I’ve decided to do something a little different. I’m going to be daily using my blog to share texts and videos of hymns that pass along hope and comfort until the restrictions are lifted, and we can worship in our buildings once again. I hope you find them to be encouraging and edifying during this time.

Take care, everyone. Wash your hands. And keep the faith.

Okay, so today you’ve got choices, but I suggest you try all three. Today’s hymn is one of the greatest of all time, and one of the best-loved, also. Today, I’m giving you videos of the top three tunes for this hymn.

For most of us, definitely most of us Americans, and probably all the more casual hymn-singing types out there, CORONATION is the most familiar. Here’s St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York with a rousing version of this hymn, set to CORONATION.

Thrilling!

The next tune is probably the favorite among professional church musicians, but let’s be honest, it’s pretty freaking hard for the average congregation. Heck, I’d love to see Thris Comlin try to hijack this tune on one of his “worship” record thingies. But if you dare, give DIADEM a try. First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska isn’t scared, so here they are, with Sterling Procter’s brilliant brass arrangement accompanying.

Catch your breath, and get ready, there’s one more. This one is probably the earliest tune pairing, MILES LANE. It’s probably my least favorite of the three, but it’s still a great tune. Listen to the way the melody captures the line, “Let angels prostrate fall.” The threefold, ascending “crown Him!” is pretty awesome, too. Here’s Duke University Chapel.

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!

Crown him ye martyrs of our God,
who from his altar call:
praise him whose way of pain ye trod,
and crown him Lord of all!
praise him whose way of pain ye trod,
and crown him Lord of all!

Hail him, the Heir of David’s line,
whom David Lord did call,
the God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown him Lord of all!
the God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown him Lord of all!

Ye heirs of Israel’s chosen race,
ye ransomed of 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!

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!

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!