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All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name has been called the “National Anthem of Christendom,” and for good reason. For nearly 250 years, this majestic hymn has invited believers from every corner of the globe to crown Jesus as Lord of all. When your congregation sings these triumphant verses, they’re joining a chorus that stretches across centuries and continents… from English chapels to the far reaches of the mission field. Few hymns declare the supremacy of Christ with such power and joy.
Hymn History: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Edward Perronet was born in England in 1726, and preaching seemed to be in his blood. His father was a minister and a close friend of John and Charles Wesley, the leaders of the Methodist movement. Growing up around these spiritual giants shaped young Edward profoundly, and though his father hoped he’d follow him into the Church of England, Edward chose the path of the Wesleys instead, becoming a Methodist minister.
One story from Edward’s ministry has become legendary. While visiting John Wesley’s church, Wesley insisted that Edward take the pulpit. Edward, who had grown up under Wesley’s mentorship, felt far below the task and refused. Neither man would budge, and it all came to a head that Sunday when Wesley stood and announced, “Now, we will hear a message from Minister Edward!” Caught off guard, Edward gathered his thoughts, stepped up, and declared, “I will now deliver the greatest sermon ever preached on earth.” Then he opened his Bible, read the Sermon on the Mount, thanked the congregation, and sat down. What a moment!
It wasn’t until his later years that Edward began writing hymns, and even then he wanted no credit, publishing anonymously in a series of small books. Only one of those books remains known to us today: Occasional Verses, Moral and Sacred. Tucked inside was a hymn that would outlive its humble author many times over: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. Its popularity rose organically, spreading far beyond England without any promotion at all. Edward preached to his very last breath, and his final words could have been a verse from his own hymn: “Glory to God in the height of His divinity! Glory to God in the depth of His humanity! Glory to God in His all-sufficiency! Into His hands I commend my spirit.”
Call to Worship
Need help finding the right words to introduce a hymn? Use this sample “Call to Worship” as a starting point, or let it inspire you to create a heartfelt invitation to praise in your own words!
Option 1: Author bio
The hymn we’re about to sing was written by a man who wanted no credit for it. Edward Perronet, a minister in 1700s England, published his hymns anonymously. He wasn’t interested in making a name for himself. He was interested in one Name only: the name of Jesus.
Perronet spent his whole life pointing people to Christ, and with his final breath he proclaimed, “Glory to God in the height of His divinity! Into His hands I commend my spirit.”
Today, as we sing the words he left behind, let’s share his single-minded devotion. Let’s set aside every distraction, every lesser name, and every competing loyalty. There is one King worthy of all our praise, and His name is Jesus. Come, let’s crown Him Lord of all!
Option 2: The royal diadem
Our hymns often contain rich, historical words we don’t use every day, and today we’ll sing one of them: diadem.
A diadem is a royal crown, the kind reserved for kings and emperors. In the ancient world, when a ruler conquered a territory, he might wear multiple diadems to display his authority over every realm he governed. When we sing “bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all,” we’re declaring that Jesus reigns over everything: every nation, every power, every circumstance in our lives.
Revelation 19 tells us that when Christ returns, “on his head are many crowns.” Every diadem belongs to Him. So this morning, let’s do with our voices what heaven is already doing. Let’s crown Him Lord of all!
Lead with Confidence
Worship leader, when you lead All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, you’re stewarding a hymn with stories attached to it that will stir your congregation’s faith. Consider sharing one before you sing.
Here’s a favorite: a missionary to India named E.P. Scott once ventured out to share the gospel with a remote tribe. As he arrived, he was surrounded by spearmen with weapons raised. All Scott could think to do was pull out his violin and sing, and the song he chose was “All Hail the Power.” When he reached the words “let every kindred, every tribe,” the spearmen lowered their weapons and welcomed him in. Scott spent the rest of his life ministering to those very people.
That’s the power of this hymn: it declares a King whose reign extends to “every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball.” Lead it with boldness. This is a coronation song, so don’t be timid with it! Let the final verse build to a glorious climax as your congregation joins “the everlasting song.” And remember, you’re not just teaching an old hymn. You’re inviting your people into the anthem that heaven itself will be singing forever.
Blending Suggestions
Try using All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name in your worship set with these songs that fit thematically:
Crown Him (Majesty) by Chris Tomlin and Kari Jobe: The crown imagery makes this pairing feel almost inevitable. Tomlin’s modern take on “Crown Him with Many Crowns” picks up right where Perronet’s “royal diadem” leaves off, and the soaring “Majesty, Lord of all” chorus lands on the exact phrase your congregation just sang. Try flowing directly from the hymn’s final “crown Him Lord of all” into Tomlin’s chorus for a seamless coronation moment.
What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship: Perronet’s hymn exalts the name of Jesus, and this modern anthem lingers there, reflecting on why that name is beautiful, wonderful, and powerful. After the grandeur of “All Hail the Power,” this song brings the theme down to an intimate, personal level, giving your congregation space to treasure the Name they’ve just crowned.
King of Kings by Hillsong Worship: Where the hymn declares Christ’s lordship, this song tells the story behind it, walking from the manger to the cross to the empty tomb. Use it to give the crown context: Jesus is worthy of “every kindred, every tribe” singing His praise because of all He accomplished for us.
All Hail King Jesus by Jeremy Riddle: The title alone makes this a natural companion, but the connection runs deeper. Both songs gather every voice into one unending declaration of Christ’s reign, and Riddle’s “there was no other way” bridge celebrates the sacrifice that made the crown possible. Consider closing your set with this one as a modern echo of Perronet’s everlasting song.
By blending these contemporary songs with All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, you’ll create a worship set with one unmistakable theme: Jesus is Lord of all. From an anonymous hymn writer in 1700s England to your congregation this Sunday, the coronation continues. Bring forth the royal diadem!