The story behind the hymn
Matthew Bridges wrote the first version in 1851, inspired by Revelation 19, where the returning Christ wears on His head many crowns. Godfrey Thring added stanzas later; hymnals blend the two. The result is a coronation service in song — each stanza crowning the Lord under a different title.
Crown Him the Lord of love — and the hymn pauses at the wounds: behold His hands and side, rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified. The risen body keeps its scars, and they are its glory. Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave; crown Him the Lord of heaven; crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time.
Set to the majestic tune Diademata — Greek for crowns — the hymn gathers momentum like a procession, and ends with the singer swept into the throne room: all hail, Redeemer, hail! for Thou hast died for me; Thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.
The lyrics
Crown Him with many crowns,The Lamb upon His throne;Hark! how the heavenly anthem drownsAll music but its own:Awake, my soul, and singOf Him who died for thee,And hail Him as thy matchless KingThrough all eternity.
Crown Him the Lord of love;Behold His hands and side,Rich wounds, yet visible above,In beauty glorified:No angel in the skyCan fully bear that sight,But downward bends his wondering eyeAt mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of life,Who triumphed o'er the grave,And rose victorious in the strifeFor 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.
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 failThroughout eternity.
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The Scripture behind it
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
On His head were many crowns — the hymn's title and coronation.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Behold my hands — the rich wounds, visible above, of the second stanza.