“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” is a hymn that was written during the days of great revival in the 1700’s. But those were also days of terrible persecution. If a preacher found himself in a town that didn’t appreciate his message, he might find himself the recipient of flying rocks. More than one pastor was taken out of town and thrown into the mud.

The message of the hymn is one of triumphant victory of the Lord and calls the world to “crown Him, Lord of all.” He is the One who will still every self-made and self-sufficient voice that claims he has no need of God, for there will be a day when “every kindred, every tribe” will bend the knee before His might.

Many interesting accounts have been associated with the use of this hymn. One of the most remarkable is a story told by E.P. Scott, a pioneer missionary to India. One day he was waylaid by a murderous band of tribesmen who were closing in on him with spears. On impulse the missionary took his violin out of his luggage and began to play and sing this hymn. When he reached the stanza “let every kindred, every tribe,” he saw to his surprise every spear lowered and many of these tribesmen moved to tears. Scott spent the remaining years of his life preaching and ministering God’s love and redemption to these people. God in His providence used a simple hymn as a means of introducing the gospel to a group of needy pagans.

To crown Him Lord, is to remove self-pride from our own hearts and give Him the honor He deserves. The wisest man is the one who knows he is a fool without the Lord. “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will lift you up.”