Crown Him with Many Crowns

By Matthew Bridges

Lyrics

1. Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.

2. Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o'er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

3. Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified;
no angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends their burning eye
at mysteries so bright.

4. Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.

Bible Reference

Revelation 19:12

About This Hymn

“Crown Him with Many Crowns” is a majestic and exalted hymn of praise that honors the sovereign rule and eternal glory of Jesus Christ. Originally written by Matthew Bridges in 1851, the hymn draws its inspiration from the imagery found in Revelation 19:12, where Christ is depicted as the triumphant King wearing many crowns. The tune, Diademata, composed by Sir George Job Elvey, enhances the hymn’s regal character, with its powerful, uplifting melody that calls worshipers to join in reverent adoration. The hymn was later expanded with additional stanzas by Godfrey Thring, who provided alternative verses to emphasize theological clarity and doctrinal breadth.

Each stanza of the hymn focuses on a different aspect of Christ's divine majesty and work. The original verses by Bridges include themes such as Christ's victorious resurrection, His redeeming love, and His rightful claim to worship from all creation. Phrases like “Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee” and “Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave” underscore both personal devotion and universal adoration. Thring’s additions, which often replaced or supplemented Bridges' verses, reinforced themes such as Christ's heavenly reign, His compassion, and His eternal priesthood. Together, these combined texts give a fuller picture of the multifaceted kingship of Christ.

Musically, the hymn’s tune Diademata contributes greatly to its enduring popularity. Elvey, an English organist and composer, crafted a melody that matches the grandeur of the text. Its strong rhythm and noble progression make it particularly effective for congregational singing and special occasions such as Easter, Ascension Sunday, or Christ the King Sunday. The hymn is widely included in hymnals across denominations, recognized for its poetic strength and doctrinal depth.

“Crown Him with Many Crowns” is a hymn of proclamation and celebration. It invites the church to participate in the heavenly chorus of worship described in Revelation, joining angels and saints in acknowledging Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. The repetition of the call to “crown Him” with various attributes—love, life, peace, glory—emphasizes that Christ's rule is not confined to one realm but extends across time, creation, and eternity. For generations, this hymn has lifted the hearts of believers, encouraging them to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and triumph, and to worship Him with awe, joy, and reverence.

Authors Image from Hymnindex