Before We Worship-Jan 26th, 2025 - All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being." - Revelation 4:11

Often referred to as the "National Anthem of Christendom," this hymn stands as one of the church's most beloved worship songs. Written by Edward Perronet, a young English minister, it was first published in 1779 and has since been translated into nearly every language where Christianity has taken root. Its bold, jubilant lyrics invite us into genuine worship every time we sing them. 

But what does it truly mean to worship? Worship is: awakening the conscience to the holiness of God, nourishing the mind with the truth of God, opening the heart to the love of God, and committing the will to the purposes of God. 

We can be deeply grateful that God inspired an 18th-century pastor to pen this stirring hymn. It reminds us that as we sing, we join with angels in heaven and redeemed believers from "every kindred, every tribe" on earth in unified praise. One day, we will all join together in "the everlasting song", declaring Christ as "Lord of all."

Edward Perronet descended from a family of French Huguenots who fled persecution, seeking refuge in Switzerland and later England. Though ordained in the Anglican Church, Perronet was drawn to the evangelical revival led by John and Charles Wesley, eventually leaving the state church to fully support their mission. While he wrote several hymns, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name is his enduring legacy, echoing through generations as a timeless call to worship.