This hymn, attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, was translated from the Latin in 1858 (a loose paraphrase rather than a strict translation) by Dr. Ray Palmer, a Congregational pastor from Albany, New York.  It would seem almost fair to say that the hymn as we know it was written by Bernard of Clairvaux and Palmer of Albany.  Dr. Palmer also wrote several hymns on his own, the best known being “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”¹. Bernard of Clairvaux, born 1090, was a mystic French Catholic monk, and an influential church leader in the Middle Ages. He made statements suggestive of imputed righteousness and seemed to embrace a form of the doctrine of sole fide. His writings on these topics were used by Reformers of later centuries to support their efforts².

Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood,
Thou savest those that on Thee call,
To them that seek Thee, Thou art good,
To them that find, Thee all in all.

We taste of Thee, O living bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still,
We drink of Thee the fountainhead,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Wherever our changeful lot is cast,
Glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blessed when our faith can hold Thee fast.

O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright,
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed over the world Thy holy light.

¹sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/jesusthou-joy-loving-hearts/
²gotquestions.org/Bernard-of-Clairvaux.html

Edward Perronet was the son of the Rev. Vincent Perronet, Vicar of Shoreham, Kent. For some time he was an intimate associate of the Wesleys, at Canterbury and Norwich. He afterwards became pastor of a dissenting congregation¹. The original hymn, written in 1780, has gone through many alterations, including an 8 stanza version calling groups of people to worship: seraphs, morning stars, martyrs, the seed of Israel’s chosen race, heirs of David’s line, sinners, and every tribe and tongue, as well as different tunes, one of which has transformed many congregations into instant choirs². Below is my favourite version.

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!

O seed of Israel’s chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all!

Let every tongue and every tribe
responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!

Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.

¹hymnary.org/text/all_hail_the_power_of_jesus_name_let
²hymnologyarchive.com/all-hail-the-power-of-jesus-name

The text was written by William Chatterton Dix, who was born in Bristol, England, on June 14, 1837. Educated at the Bristol Grammar School, William entered the mercantile business and rose to become the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland. Even though he possessed only a scanty academic training, he was an excellent student and produced a large number of hymns, over forty, some which are metrical renderings of English translations from the Greek. Perhaps Dix’s best-known songs generally are “What Child Is This?” and “As With Gladness Men of Old”¹. This hymn was originally called “Redemption through the Precious Blood” and was inspired by Revelation 5:9, “And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy . . . for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood”². Below is my favourite version of this hymn:

Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph, his the vict’ry, his alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation hath redeemed us by his blood.

Alleluia! not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us, faith believes, nor questions how;

Though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise, ‘I am with you evermore’?
Alleluia! Hread of heaven, here on earth our food and stay!
Alleluia! Here the sinful flee to thee from day to day.

Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth’s Redeemer, plead for me.
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal, thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! Born of Mary, earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne.
Thou within the veil hast entered, robed in flesh, our great High Priest.
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim in the Eucharistic Feast.

Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph, his the vict’ry, his alone.

¹hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/quotalleluia-sing-to-jesusquot/
²tribuneonlineng.com/story-behind-the-hymn-alleluia-sing-to-jesus/

One of my favourite hymns, Holy, Holy, Holy was written by Yorkshire born poet and pastor Reginald Heber. Living in a time when English Romantic poetry was blossoming, he showed much skill in poetry writing, wining prizes for his poems in his teenage years. After ministering as a pastor for many years at a local parish, he moved to India, fuelled by his love for missions. Reginald died of a stroke at the 42 after preaching to a large crowd one afternoon in the hot sun; after his death, his widow discovered his hymns in a trunk, among which was this beloved song¹.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

¹ page 98 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church

I recently found Matt Searles’ when Spotify’s algorithm actually worked in my favour. Matt is active in ministry in the UK, currently Director of Training for the South Central Gospel Partnership. He has written wonderful songs of deep biblical truths in clear and accessible way to normal Christians of all backgrounds. One of his most recent albums includes new songs to old hymn tunes – this is one of my favourites, and you may recognise Lacy Condy’s lovely vocals from Sovereign Grace adorning the words to this hymn based on Pslam 27.

The Lord’s my light – I shall not fear
The Lord is my salvation
My tower of strength; my God is near
In every situation
Though enemies on every side
And armies rise against me
I have a stronghold for my life:
My saviour Christ is with me

One thing I ask, and I would seek
To gaze upon his beauty
To dwell with God and never leave
And see him in his glory
He hides me in his holy tent
When troubles rise around me
Here on this rock I stand secure:
My saviour Christ is with me

Give ear O Lord, and hear my cry
Pour out your grace and mercy
I seek your face with all my heart
Don’t turn your goodness from me
O God my help, forsake my not
When others turn against me
But you O Lord preserve my life
My saviour Christ is with me

Teach me your way O Lord my God
Make level paths before me
My enemies with lying tongues
Do violence against me
I’ll see the goodness of the Lord
Each day that I am living
Be strong my soul and wait for God
My saviour Christ is with me

The song can be heard on Spotify as well as on bandcamp here.

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