*****Download this month’s FREE printable******
***** Download the hymn schedule for the 2023-2024 School Year******
***** The School Year Hymn Guide is available on Etsy!*****
All hail the power of Jesus’ name
Let angels prostrate fall!
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him Lord of all!
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him Lord of all!
Edward Perronet (1780)
THE HYMN AND ITS WRITER
Edward Perronet (1721-1792) was the son of Vincent Perronet, a refugee of Catholic France whose family came to Switzerland and then to England for freedom to worship according to their conscience. Edward felt called to ministry since he was a young boy. As Edward’s father had a close relationship with John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, it was natural for Edward to join them in their traveling evangelistic work around England. Telling lost people about salvation found through Jesus alone was strenuous and even dangerous at times. John Wesley wrote about the difficulty of Edward’s ministry in his journal: “Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire. Stones were hurled and windows broken.” (Tyerman)
Over time, however, Edward Perronet decided he wanted to do ministry his own way and found being micromanaged by the Wesley brothers to be stifling. They parted company, and Edward became the pastor of a small Congregational church in Canterbury. It was here that he wrote a handful of hymns and other poetry which he published anonymously (as was the custom) in 1785. The most well loved of his hymns and the only one still found in common use is “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” Many even consider the hymn to be the national anthem of Christendom. Hymnologist Louis Benson has said, “His hymn is the one achievement of his life. It breaks through the crusty manner of an unappreciated and disappointed man, and reveals him as one that had ‘such exalted views of the Lord Jesus, and so completely enthroned Him in his thoughts and affections.’” We can especially see these exalted views of Christ in Perronet’s last words before he died in 1792: “Glory to God in the height of His divinity! Glory to God in the depth of his humanity! Glory to God in His all-sufficiency! Into His hands I commend my spirit.”
THE COMPOSER
There are at least three different tunes that hymnals offer for the words written by Perronet. This time around we will be singing the tune CORONATION by Oliver Holden. Oliver Holden (1765-1844), was a 5th generation American and a man of many talents. He was a carpenter who helped rebuild Charleston after the Revolutionary War. He organized music schools, served as a legislator (helped write and pass laws), and ministered to people as a pastor. Holden also composed the music and wrote the words of an ode which was sung when George Washington came to visit the Old State House in Boston in 1789. The celebratory song went like this:
Great Washington, the hero’s come:
Each heart exulting hears the sound;
See! thousands their deliverer throng,
And shout him welcome all around.
Now in full chorus burst the song
And shout the deeds of Washington.
It was reported that the song affected Washington so deeply that tears were streaming down his face! Olden must have really had a knack for writing regal music! His organ, on which he composed CORONATION, and his portrait by Ethan Allen Greenwood are still kept at the Old State House in Boston. The tune we are singing this month is generally thought to be the oldest American hymn tune in circulation. (Fenner)
IDEAS FOR DOING HYMN OF THE MONTH
We are delighted that you are here, friend. If you are new to this community, welcome! It is a great time to join in and make family worship a priority if you haven’t already. You may or may not be familiar with this hymn. Either way, we invite you to spend this month meditating on its truths. You may find yourself too busy during this season to get to all of the verses, and that’s okay! Here are a few ideas for implementing the hymn of the month together:
- Print out your FREE printables for this hymn. Take a moment just to read through the verses together, as you would a poem. You can also use the copywork printables for your children to practice writing the words.
- Let your crew ask questions about vocabulary and the meaning behind the author’s poetry, and ask if there are any words or phrases that stick out to anyone.
- Read about the author together (above). There is such beauty in understanding the life and thoughts of the hymn writer! When my family sings hymns together, we often reflect on the author and his or her sufferings or blessings. For every hymn, it’s like we make a new friend.
- Listen to the hymn. Play it when you are driving together, or at home while washing dishes. Try out lots of different versions from our playlist below. Let your children hear YOU singing it. There is such wonderful comfort that comes from your children hearing you sing. Even if you feel like you haven’t a musical bone in your body, it doesn’t matter… Sing!
- Most importantly, spend time reading Scripture, praying and singing along with your children. It may feel awkward at first but go ahead and give it a try. Your kiddos may not join you in singing right away, and that’s ok. It may take a few days or even a few weeks, but at some point, you are most likely going to hear your children humming the tune or singing the lyrics while playing or while you lead them. Don’t forget to connect with your children by looking at them in the eyes while you sing. And in your heart, look to the Lord in worship, submission, joy and reverence.
- Review! There are many fantastic ways to review hymns, but our favorite is using a hymn jar. After the month is over, we write the hymn title on a popsicle stick and put it in our hymn jar. We’ll often pick 3 or 4 songs from our jar during our morning routine so that we won’t forget the beautiful songs we’ve learned. It’s amazing to me how well the lyrics often stick in our hearts and minds!
LISTEN IN
You can find fresh versions of the hymn on our YouTube channel that you and your family can sing along with. There are loads of fresh versions of our favorite hymns on our hymn of the month playlist.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
When we began singing hymns with our littles about 13 years ago, we kept it simple… We prayed and sang one hymn together every night at bedtime for a whole month. Everyone’s family rhythm is different, so we welcome you to gather up your families, for just a few minutes each day, to sing, discuss and memorize this hymn (following your daily time in the Scriptures and in prayer) whether it is first thing in the morning, or around the dinner table or before bedtime – whatever works best for your family. You can let us know how it’s going by posting either a video or a photo on Instagram. Just tag it with #happyhymnody! As always, if you have any questions or if you’d like to share your heart with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out! God bless you all this month as you worship and follow Jesus together as a family!
GOING DEEPER INTO HYMN STUDY
If you want more resources at your finger tips for hymn study, please check out the Happy Hymnody hymn guide for the 2023-2024 school year. Not only does it get all the hymns for the year ahead of schedule, but you get MORE background to the hymn story, the inside scoop to the original text and compositions, discussion questions, coloring pages for every month, extra copywork sheets, and so much more. Read all about it and get yourself a downloadable copy on Etsy. This is also an opportunity for you to financially partner with us in the ministry of Happy Hymnody. Each hymn guide purchase helps us to be able to continue with research and with providing free printables on our site! So, thank you!
With so much warmth and love,
April
Sources and Works Cited:
Bailey, A E. “The Gospel in Hymns.” United States: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1950.
Benson, L. F. Studies Of Familiar Hymns. The Westminster Press, 1923. Online copy: https://archive.org/details/studiesoffamilia005635mbp/page/n185/mode/2up?q=Perronet
Fenner, C. “Oliver Holden.” Hymnology Archive. 2 March 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2023 from: https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/oliver-holden
Hatfield, E. F. The Poets of the Church. New York, Anson D F Randolph and Co: 1884. Online copy: https://books.google.com/books?id=1X9Na4_B8TsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=Perronet&f=false
Leeman, David and Barbara. “Hosanna Loud Hosannas.” Self published, 2015. p 106.
Perronet, E. The Mitre. 1756.
Reagan, D. F. “We Still March to His Tune: Oliver Holden.” Learnthebible.org Retrieved August 20, 2023 from: https://www.learnthebible.org/history_oliver_holden.htm
Tyerman, L. “The life and times of the Rev. John Wesley Vol. 2.” United States: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1872. (p. 57)
Happy Hymnody 