{"id":1068,"date":"2010-03-29T04:01:20","date_gmt":"2010-03-29T04:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/03\/the-surprising-origins-of-a-great-hymn.html"},"modified":"2010-03-29T04:01:20","modified_gmt":"2010-03-29T04:01:20","slug":"the-surprising-origins-of-a-great-hymn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/03\/the-surprising-origins-of-a-great-hymn.html","title":{"rendered":"The Surprising Origins of a Great Hymn"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of my favorite hymns, and one that is frequently sung during Holy Week and Eastertide, is \u201cCrown Him with Many Crowns.\u201d The lyrics of this glorious hymn celebrate the multi-faceted sovereignty of Christ.
\nIf you were to look in several different hymnals, you\u2019d find some variation in the lyrics of \u201cCrown Him with Many Crowns.\u201d Some hymnals have four stanzas; others have more. This lyrical diversity stems from the fact that the author of this hymn, Matthew Bridges, wrote six original stanzas in 1851<\/a>. But then, in 1874, Godfrey Thring wrote another version of the hymn<\/a>, with six new stanzas. Thring, it seems, was concerned that some of Bridges\u2019 lyrics were too Catholic. In time, the versions were mingled, with different hymnals producing different hybrid versions.
\nI\u2019ll reproduce the stanzas with which I am most familiar, adding some notes of explanation:
\nCrown him with many crowns,
\nThe Lamb upon his throne;
\nHark! how the heav\u2019nly anthem drowns
\nAll music but its own:
\nAwake, my soul, and sing
\nOf him who died for thee,
\nAnd hail him as thy matchless King
\nThro\u2019 all eternity.<\/p>\n

Note: This is Bridges\u2019 original stanza 1. It is based on Revelation 19:11-12: \u201cThen I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Crown Him the Son of God
\nBefore the worlds began,
\nAnd ye, who tread where He hath trod,
\nCrown Him the Son of man;
\nWho every grief hath known
\nThat wrings the human breast,
\nAnd takes and bears them for His own,
\nThat all in Him may rest.<\/p>\n

Note: This is Thring\u2019s original stanza 2. The ideas are quite fine and moving. But this verse does not pick up the \u201cCrown him the Lord of . . .\u201d structure that is common to the other stanzas. This may be why it is less commonly sung, in my experience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Crown him the Lord of peace,
\nWhose pow\u2019r a scepter sways
\nFrom pole to pole, that wars may cease,
\nAnd all be pray\u2019r and praise:
\nHis reign shall know no end,
\nAnd round his pierced feet
\nFair flow\u2019rs of paradise extend
\nTheir fragrance ever sweet.<\/p>\n

Note: This is Bridges\u2019 original stanza 3.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Crown Him the Lord of love!
\nBehold His hands and side,–
\nRich wounds, yet visible above,
\nIn beauty glorified:
\nNo angel in the sky
\nCan fully bear that sight,
\nBut downward bends his burning eye
\nAt mysteries so bright!<\/p>\n

Note: This is Bridges\u2019 original stanza 4.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Crown Him the Lord of life
\nWho triumphed o’er the grave,
\nAnd rose victorious in the strife
\nFor those He came to save;
\nHis glories now we sing
\nWho died, and rose on high.
\nWho died, eternal life to bring
\nAnd lives that death may die.<\/p>\n

Note: This is Thring\u2019s original stanza 4.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Crown Him the Lord of years!
\nThe Potentate of time,–
\nCreator of the rolling spheres,
\nIneffably sublime!
\nAll hail! Redeemer, Hail!
\nFor Thou hast died for me;
\nThy praise shall never, never fail
\nThroughout eternity!<\/p>\n

Note: This is first half of Bridges\u2019 original stanza 5 plus the second half of Bridges\u2019 original stanza 6.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You may be surprised to learn of the checkered history and authorship of this hymn. Most Christians think of hymns as having been written one way, the best way, and the only way they should be sung. If you change the words of a hymn, you are in big trouble. It’s almost worse than heresy. (In some churches, changing the words of a hymn is<\/em> worse than heresy.) But, in fact, many hymns we know have gone through lots of editing. And most hymns we sing were not originally sung to the tunes we associate with them.
\nI think \u201cCrown Him with Many Crowns\u201d is a wonderful hymn, no matter which stanzas you choose. But I also think it has a glaring omission<\/em>. This omission is particularly obvious in holy week. Tomorrow I\u2019ll tell you what I think is missing, and what I\u2019d suggest to fill the gap. Then I’ll get back to my ruminations on Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of my favorite hymns, and one that is frequently sung during Holy Week and Eastertide, is \u201cCrown Him with Many Crowns.\u201d The lyrics of this glorious hymn celebrate the multi-faceted sovereignty of Christ. If you were to look in several different hymnals, you\u2019d find some variation in the lyrics of \u201cCrown Him with Many…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holy-week-easter"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Surprising Origins of a Great Hymn - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1068\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}