All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

This hymn is a good case study in hymn renewal.  The poetic, 18th century English leaves a number of communication gaps, from "prostrate" (too often embarrassingly confused with "prostate"), to "kindred," to "terrestrial," to "throng," to unclear (though biblical) expressions like "chosen seed."  Many would say that although uncommon, these words are likely understandable to those with a good vocabulary.  Our response:  what we say in our communal hymns should not be understandable only to singers with a good vocabulary -- we should all know the meaning of what we are saying when we sing -- nor should receipt of the gospel message be limited only to those with a good vocabulary.  This said, "diadem" merits some special discussion.  From context, singers may realize that it is some type of crown, but most will have no mental image of what it looks like.  Renewal of the term nonetheless presents problems because English has few synonyms for "crown."  Substituting in "crown" also requires additional verbiage to fill the rhythmic space and results in duplicative usage in line 4 of verse 1.  More significantly, the appropriateness of the substitution in this instance can be questioned.  Diadem is a transliteration of the Greek term that is used in Rev. 19:12:  "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.  (ESV)"  English translations -- even modern ones -- are divided as to whether it is justified to translate diadem (which is a special term for "crown" even in Greek) or the more readily understood "crown."  This is thus probably an instance in which it may be better to educate the congregation to the Rev. 9:12 reference as opposed to word replacement.  An alternative is nonetheless set out below in brackets base on Heb. 2:9 ("crowned with glory and honor").  Note is taken that some object to the song's suggestion that we Christians may be depicted as crowning Jesus.  Alternatives are PRAISE or HAIL and may be desirable just for sake of variety -- and PRAISE makes especial sense in v. 4 and is often substituted.

Renewal lyrics.

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!
Let angels FACE DOWN fall!
Bring forth the royal diadem,
[BRING FORTH HIS ROYAL, GLORIOUS CROWN]
And crown [PRAISE] Him Lord of all.

YOU chosen HEIRS of Israel’s race,
ALL ransomed from the fall,
Hail CHRIST who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all.

Let ev’ry PEOPLE [NATION], ev’ry tribe,
On this GREAT EARTHLY ball
To CHRIST all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of All.

O that with ALL THE HEAV’NLY throng
We at CHRIST’S feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And PRAISE Him Lord of All.

Renewal lyric changes by RH Reinhard (c) 2014

Original lyrics.

All hail the pow’r 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 ev’ry kindred, ev’ry 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.

Lyrics by Edward Perronet (vv. 1-3),
John Rippon (v. 4)