Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 07:2 (Autumn 1994)
Article: A Gospel Song Of Grace
Author: Frances A. Mosher

---

JOTGES 7:2 (Autumn 94) p. 89

A Gospel Song Of Grace

Frances A. Mosher

Pianist, Christ Congregation
Dallas, TX

All Hail The Power

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.

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.

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all.

Edward Perronet (1726–1792)
Alt. by John Rippon (1751–1836)

That “All Hail the Power” is an eloquent hymn of praise to our Lord Jesus Christ would be enough to earn it an honored place in hymnody. However, several features of “All Hail the Power” earn it a place, as well, among our hymns of grace.

Reminiscent of the fifth chapter of Revelation, the entire focus of the hymn is on the consummate worthiness of Christ to be crowned “Lord of all”; there is no focus at all on our feeble works or resolutions. At the outset the hymn-writer declares that the power is in “Jesus’ name,” not in our merit. Many Scripture passages support this declaration, but it

JOTGES 7:2 (Autumn 94) p. 90

seems particularly reflective of Acts 4:12: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The hymn’s second verse proclaims that we are “ransomed from the fall” and saved “by His grace.” Note here that He is crowned “Lord of all” by those who are already ransomed and saved. It was not their crowning Him Lord that saved them. Rather, He is crowned by them in overwhelming gratitude for what He has already accomplished on their behalf.

The fourth verse seems to strengthen the proclamation of grace by acknowledging that at this time we cannot, in fact, fully crown Him Lord as He deserves to be crowned. The poet seems to be looking forward with hope to a future time and place when, in “everlasting song,” we will decisively, perfectly, and irrevocably crown as “Lord of all” the One who died to ransom and save us. Then those ransomed by His grace will see the perfect fulfillment of Phil 2:9–11.

The hymn’s author, Edward Perronet, was the son of an Anglican clergyma...

visitor : : uid: ()