Thomas Kelly was considered to be one of Ireland’s finest hymn writers and evangelistic preachers of the 19th century. He was born in 1769 and graduated with honors from Trinity College in Dublin. At his father’s wish, he then went to London to study for a law degree.
While studying there, his interest in Hebrew led him to study William Romaine’s Biblical doctrines. Romaine was an 18th-century evangelical preacher who believed in the Bible’s authority and taught the doctrines of grace. The Holy Spirit convicted Kelly of his sin, and he found forgiveness through Christ.
Kelly was admitted to the bar, but at the age of 23, he returned to Ireland and was ordained as a minister in the Anglican Church. He was soon dismissed from the church because of his evangelical preaching, and he joined the Dissenters and helped to plant churches around the city. He soon established a reputation as a gracious pastor, dynamic preacher, excellent Biblical scholar, gifted poet, and musician.
Kelly wrote more than seven hundred hymns in his lifetime. Hymnologists say that Kelly’s best hymns were those of praise, and this hymn, which was written in 1806, reflects this. In early publications, "Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious" was published with the title, “The Second Advent.” The hymn is often sung to celebrate Christ’s Second Coming to earth. In those days, however, preachers often referred to Christ’s ascension into heaven as “The Second Advent,” and this hymn is primarily focused on the triumphant return of Christ to heaven. Kelly begins the hymn with the announcement, “Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious,” and then describes the scene as Christ returns to heaven. The phrase "crown Him" is used throughout the hymn, celebrating Jesus' victory as he rose from the dead and soon after ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious” is one of the best Ascension hymns in the English language and should be more familiar than it is. Several tunes have been associated with the hymn, but William Monk’s tune, “Coronae,” is well-matched to Kelly’s text and is easy to sing. The hymn should be sung in a majestic and spirited manner, expressing the celebration in heaven. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
1. Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious,
See “the man of sorrows” now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Ev’ry knee to him shall bow:
Crown him, crown him;
Crowns become the victor’s brow.
2. Crown the Saviour, angels crown him:
Rich the trophies Jesus brings:
In the seat of pow’r enthrone him,
While the vault of heaven rings:
Crown him, crown him;
Crown the Saviour “King of kings.”
3. Sinners in derision crowned him,
Mocking thus the Saviour’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around him,
Own his title, praise his name:
Crown him, crown him;
Spread abroad the victor’s fame.
4. Hark! those bursts of acclamation!
Hark! those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station:
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown him, crown him;
“King of kings, and Lord of lords.”
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