HYMN STORIES: The Songs We Sing

“All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”

This week we will sing the hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”, is often called “The National Anthem of Christendom”. The lyrics were written by Edward Perronet a missionary to India and the hymn first appeared in the November 1779 issue of Gospel Magazine. The lyrics have been translated into almost every (if not every) language in which Christianity is known.

Edward Perronet was ordained into the Anglican Church but later joined the evangelical movement of John and Charles Wesley. He was in many meetings with John Wesley and even though he was a great preacher in his own right, he vowed he would never preach in the presence of John Wesley. Wesley was not one to take no for an answer and one day in the middle of a meeting John simply announced to the large crowd that Brother Perronet will now speak. Thinking quickly, Perronet declared, “I will now deliver the greatest sermon ever preached on earth” (you can imagine he got everyone’s attention) he then read the Sermon on the Mount and sat down.

An interesting story linked to this great hymn. “One of the most dramatic instances of its use was found in the experience of the Rev. E. P. Scott in India” Scott was greatly burdened for a very barbarous tribe that his friends had strongly advised him to avoid. He journeyed to where they were putting his trust in God to protect him. Before he reached their tribe he was accosted and surrounded by them. He had no weapon of offense or defense with him; he had only his violin. He closed his eyes and began to play and sing “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” fully anticipating that he would open his eyes in heaven. After a few minutes he opened his eyes to steal a look and much to his surprise they had dropped their spears and were looking at him in awe and curiosity. Later, after welcoming him in, he shared with them the glorious story of the Gospel and led many of them to the Lord.

The opening line “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” is the perfect place to start. Acts 4:12 declares “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” There is power in the name of Jesus. Proclaim the name of Jesus proudly and loudly as we sing this hymn together!

Shared by Lindrew Johnson, Director of Worship