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This hymn was written by Matthew Bridges and appeared in 1851 in Hymns of the Heart. It was six verses of 8 lines and presented the kind of crowns that might be found on the Lord from Revelation 19:12. Each verse was a description of a different kind crown (Many, Virgin’s Son, Lord of Love, Lord of Peace, Lord of Years, and Lord of Heaven).
The music for this hymn by George Elvey was published in 1868 and designed specifically to fit the words by Matthew Bridges. The tune was named “Diademata,” the Greek word for crowns in Revelation 19:12.
Rev. H.W. Hutton asked Godfrey Thring to rewrite several verses of this well-known hymn to correct the theology of it. This had the verses starting with “Crown Him…: with crowns of gold,” the Son of God,” the Lord of light,” Lord of life,” Lord of lords” and a new final stanza. Then it was decided to keep the two versions separate. This separate wording was published in 1874.
The version we use is a combination of verses taken from each poem and a verse that is half Bridges and half Thring!
Sources
William J. Reynolds, Companion to Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1976). page 273 & 303
The photo of Elvey can be found at: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/r/crownhim.htm
