Crown Him with Many Crowns (ELW 855)
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 peace,
whose power a scepter sways
from pole to pole, that wars may cease,
and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end,
and round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.
4 Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
those wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me;
thy praise and glory shall not fail
throughout eternity.
Devotion
In verse four we sing, “Crown him the Lord of Life…who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.” In our faith journey we live by these promises: God in Jesus loves us, God in Jesus forgives us, and God in Jesus gives us new life.
I have a good friend who is battling colon cancer. During his fight with cancer he has boldly stated, “If I live, I live. And if I die, I live with Jesus. It is a win-win for me.” What a powerful statement of faith—a faith proclaimed in a King who lived and died and rose again, “that death might die.” What a hope we have in the face of life’s pain or uncertainties.
Prayer
Lord God of Hope, when we face the uncertainties of life, help us to rest in the risen Lord Jesus Christ, who is King, now and for eternity. Give us the courage to live each day proclaiming you as King. In Jesus Christ our Hope we pray. Amen.