JESUS CHRIST >> LOVE OF CHRIST FOR US
SDAH 199
The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty victor’s brow.
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Hymn Spotlight: The Head That Once Was Crowned
Thomas Kelly’s hymn reflects on the exaltation of Christ following His suffering and death. Based on Hebrews 2:9–10, it draws us to worship the risen King, crowned with glory and honor.
Set to the noble tune ST. MAGNUS, the text proclaims the hope of eternal reward for those who follow Christ.
Let us lift our voices to the King who first bore the crown of thorns for us.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Some hymnals place this in the Ascension section or the Kingdom and Reign section. But it also finds an appropriate place in the Love of Christ for Us section, for His love made Him leave heaven and accept the crown of thorns and the death on the cross, in order that we might have life eternal. In fact, Kelly’s title was “perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10). Primarily it is based on Hebrews 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Thomas Kelly (1769–1855; see SDAH 165) issued the fifth edition of Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture, 1820, in which this hymn appeared. Kelly also wrote SDAH 165, “Look, You Saints! the Sight Is Glorious,” and SDAH 222, “Hark! Ten Thousand Harps and Voices.”
ST. MAGNUS is generally attributed to Jeremiah Clark (1669–1707; see SDAH 19), whom Robert Bridges called “The Inventor of the Modern Hymn Tune.” Another tune by him in SDAH is No. 644, BISHOP. ST. MAGNUS was first printed in Henry Playford’s Divine Companion, where it was set to a metrical version of Psalm 117.
SDAH’s arrangement is by Melvin West (1930– ; see Biographies). For a different harmonization of the tune, see SDAH 19.
Stanza:
1 – Matthew 26:29
Revelation 19:12
2 – Revelation 19:16, 23
Text
1
The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty victor’s brow.
2
The highest place that heaven affords
Is His, is His by right;
The King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And heaven’s eternal light.
3
The joy of all who dwell above,
The joy of all below,
To whom He manifests His love,
And grants His name to know.
4
To them the cross, with all its shame,
With all its grace is given;
Their name an everlasting name,
Their joy the joy of heaven.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Matt 26:29; Rev 19:12 (b) Rev 19:16, 23
Author
Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)
Copyright
Arrangement copyright 1984 by Melvin West
Hymn Tune
ST. MAGNUS
Metrical Number
C.M.
Composer
Jeremiah Clark (1669-1707)
Arranged
Melvin West, 1984 (1930-)
Alternate Harmony
SDAH 19
