This is up there with my all-time favorite hymns. It was written in 1851 by Matthew Bridges – an Anglican minister who later converted to the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in 1800 and pursued his interests in history and poetry.
The original six stanzas of the hymn were inspired by Revelation 19:12 (ESV): “His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself.”
And so, Bridges wrote the lyrics to this wonderful hymn based upon the diadems of Christ, reigning forevermore from His throne in heaven. In 1868, another Anglican priest named Godfrey Thring wrote additional verses in order to broaden the theological perspective. This hymn is sung across many different Christian denominations, particularly at the celebrations of Easter and Ascension.
I have heard many different versions of this hymn and they all seem to mix and match a few of the verses. So far, all of the versions I have heard give all glory to God on high.
The tune to this hymn – that we know and love – was written by Sir George Job Elvey in 1874. Elvey was a prominent English organist who served the royal family at Chapel Royal. His tune captured the march-like spirit of the lyrics perfectly. I love this hymn and find it easy to sing along with; along with most other Christians.
This version of the hymn has been condensed down to five stanzas. Each stanza speaks to a Crown of Christ, each representing an aspect of who Christ is and what He has done for us. By no means has any version of this hymn – or all versions combined for that matter – captured EVERY crown that Jesus wears on His throne in heaven. For there are MANY crowns that Jesus wears.
The lyrics to the first stanza are:
“Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own! Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.”
In this stanza, Christ is crowned with “The Crown of the Lamb Upon the Throne.” This first crown signifies Christ’s royal position as the Lamb of God who was slain. Jesus Christ gave Himself up as the worthy sacrifice to atone for all the sins of all people.
“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” (Revelation 5:6 ESV)
The lyrics to the second stanza are:
“Crown Him the Son of God before the worlds began. And ye, who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man; who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast, and takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.”
In this stanza, Christ is crowned with “The Crown of the Son of God and the Son of Man.” The second crown signifies Christ’s dual nature as both fully divine and fully human. He stepped down from His throne in heaven and put on human flesh – humbling and humiliating Himself – all so that He could suffer in the most agonizing way and die the most agonizing death, all in our place.
Only Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. Only Jesus Christ is capable of redeeming all of mankind through His willful sacrifice on the cross.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14 ESV)
The lyrics to the third stanza are:
“Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side; rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified! No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight, but downward bends His wondering eye at mysteries so bright!”
In this stanza, Christ is crowned with “The Crown of Love.” The third crown is the embodiment of God’s love for us, demonstrated through Jesus Christ’s willful sacrificial death to save all of humanity.
The scars that Jesus proudly wears on His glorified body are His scars of victory over sin, death, and the devil. He wears His scars like a trophy, and for good reason. They demonstrate His love for us; that He loves us more than He loves Himself.
His scars are a reminder to everyone – angels, demons, and humans alike – that Christ has already conquered all sin, all death, and the devil, once and for ALL mankind, despite our sin.
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 ESV)
The lyrics to the fourth stanza are:
“Crown Him the Lord of life who triumphed o'er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save. His glories now we sing; who died, and rose on high. Who died, eternal life to bring and lives that death may die.”
In this stanza, Christ is crowned with “The Crown of Life.” The fourth crown represents Christ’s power over even death itself through His glorious resurrection from the grave. And in Christ’s resurrection, all who believe in Him are rewarded with eternal life with Him in heaven.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I Am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25 ESV)
The lyrics to the fifth stanza are:
“Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign. Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain. Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing their songs before Him day and night; their God, Redeemer, King.”
In this stanza, Christ is crowned with “The Crown of Lord of lords and King of kings.” This fifth crown exalts the ascended Jesus Christ as Lord over all things, both in heaven and on earth – in all of Creation. In His power and majesty, Christ bestows eternal life on all the redeemed – on all who believe in Him. Christ is ruler over ALL things; there is no one over Him.
“On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16 ESV)
Soli Deo Gloria!
Philip Frank
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