Matthew Bridges an 1800th century psalmist and musician has written a famous musical composition focusing on Christ and crowning Him King. Since Bridges, many additional psalmists and musicians have added other stanzas to this hymn. This spiritual anthem enfolds the glorious yet holy mystery of God and His continual interactive commitment to His covenant promise to mankind.
Although we live in a different type of democracy than kings, queens and lords, we can still appreciate the symbolism of the overall centerpiece of this ballad.
My favorite stanza is:
Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime.
As I mediate on the rich truth of these four lines, scripture comes forth ...
The Lord of years ... reminds me of the eternal love that never fades between God and those that have heard the gospel of salvation — “the words of truth believed in Him and were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit guaranteed of our inheritance” — Ephesians 1:13-14
And it reminds me of God’s unending promise to those that are His in Ezekiel 36:28 — “You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
Potentate of time ... reminds me of the omnipotent and omnipresence of the only One true God.
The God that exudes all time before, now and beyond.
Time does not hold God nor is He bound by any type or form of time.
Creator of the rolling spheres ... completes the stanza with a reminder of the God in Genesis and the Messiah of the gospels are One and the same, confirming with full disclosure that Jesus is God.
“Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” — John 17:5
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” — John 1:1
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” — John 1:14
Ending the stanza is the proper closure. Praise! Words that are indescribable, so incapable of expression, that awe is the only righteous response is great grand praise.
Praise to the high exalted One that is elevated on high, seated on His throne with great excellence.
And if the words cannot flow from your tongue, do so in your heart and mind.
My second favorite stanza (if not equal to the first):
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 wond’ring eye
At mysteries so bright.
The Lord of love explains the purpose of His proper crowning.
Evidence is the nail pierced hands and the sword piercing of His side. Those precious wounds solidify the promise God brought to the New Testament.
This long extended love first starting in Genesis foretold in the prophets and fulfilled with Christ the word becoming flesh.
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified — The wounds of the hands and side are the pure evidence of the Lamb of God being a once and for all a final sacrifice for all to have the opportunity to know Him and reign with Him.
The sign very much like the rainbow confirming that God does not break His promise especially when He swears by Himself.
No angel in the sky, bending his burning eye on the mysteries so bright — This line gives me great moments of pondering ... The angels above whose complete and sole purpose is to praise God takes the time to look down on earth with such intensity at the mystery of love that God has on His people.
Observing the sealed faithfulness of God, brought by the obedience of Christ.
Peter speaks of this in his first letter “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” — I Peter 1:10
The end of the hymn concludes our only response as His creation. What a fitting way to conclude a song. Giving honor to Whom honor is due.
Join me ...
“All Hail Redeemer Hail
For Thou has died for me
And hailed me as thy
Thy praise and glory has not failed
Throughout eternity”
All due honor and glory goes to Christ the Redeemer of all mankind
Amen and Amen
Reflection and Action:
Join me in crowning Jesus as King in your heart, soul and mind.
Meditate on these phrases seeking for greater understanding of who God is and what He has done for us through His Son Christ!
Ask God to give you greater humility and contriteness of heart in welcoming Him.
Into your life only for you to yield and Hail him as your personal Redeemer!
© Copyright 2012 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.
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About the author
About the author
Simone Lake is a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher, author and conference speaker (both in the U.S. and internationally). Founder of Deep Roots in Christ Ministries (based on Jer. 17:7-8), she teaches spiritual discipline courses, writes devotional articles, is a short-term missionary, prayer coordinator and chaplain. She graduated from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in theological studies (MTS). Simone serves in various areas at Church on Randall Place as well as her associational and state church denomination. Simone and her husband, Pastor John Lake, enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking the Grand Canyon, mountain bike riding and walking their border collie, Scout.
To find out more about her teachings, videos, speaking engagements and writings, go to:
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