Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned

by Jim Carnes

Hymn Author: Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795

Hymn Composer: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872

Hymn Tune: Ortonville

Hymn Meter: CM (86.86)

Hymn Reference:
My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, His locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: His lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: His belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. - Song of Solomon 5:10-16

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. - Hebrews 2:9

O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. - Psalm 104:1


Samuel Stennett was born in Exeter, England, in 1727. His father, Dr. Joseph Stennett, was a well-known Baptist pastor of the Little Wild Street Church in London. In 1748 Samuel became an assistant to his father and ten years later succeeded him in the pastorate of that church. Stennett remained at this church for the next thirty-seven years, where he became known as one of the outstanding evangelical preachers of his day. It is said that he was a confidant to many of the most distinguished statesmen of that time, and even King George III was one of his most ardent admirers. In 1763 the University of Aberdeen conferred the Doctor of Divinity Degree upon him in recognition of his many accomplishments. Samuel Stennett died in London on August 24, 1795. He had served as a faithful pastor of one church for thirty-seven years.

Dr. Stennett was also an influential writer on numerous theological subjects as well as the author of thirty-nine hymns. Most of these hymns were contributed to Rippon's famous Baptist collection, A Selection of Hymns from the Best of Authors, published in 1787. "Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned" first appeared in that collection. It became Stennett's best-known hymn and is still widely used today. He is also the author of the hymn "On Jordan's Stormy Banks" (101 More Hymn Stories, No. 71).

Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned is one of the finest communion hymns found in evangelical hymnals (though seldom sung during Lord Supper services). The dominant theme of this beautifully expressed text is the adoration of the person of Christ and the work He accomplished on our behalf, based on the passage from the Song of Solomon 5:10-16. The hymn originally had nine stanzas and was entitled "The Chief Among Ten Thousand" or "The Excellencies of Christ."

The first two stanzas (which are not included in most modern hymnals) encourage us to worship our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to consider His glorious nature and His work of triumphant grace. Specifically, in the second stanza, we are told to Survey the beauties of his face, And on His glories dwell. To survey means to examine or inspect something with precision. Sometimes the object is small enough to survey easily. Sometimes the object is too vast to take it all in with one look --- Remember Isaac Watts’ hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died. In Stennett’s hymn we are called upon to consider the nature of Christ and His work of redemption on the cross. How long has it been since you have taken time to seriously consider – to survey – the beauties of His face and the wondrous work that He accomplished on the cross?

Stennett says that when he takes time to contemplate Christ on the cross he thinks of Him in majestic terms. There is something grand or stately about Christ. He is the King, robed in regal garments; yet, through an interesting choice of figures he combines the characteristics of sweetness with majesty. Majestic sweetness sits enthroned Upon His awesome brow. Stennett has just told us to Survey the beauties of His face. Now he helps us to imagine the head of Christ. It is a glorious head, the head of the King. During the week of His passion Christ was mocked and derided and made to wear a crown of thorns upon His head; but now, in resurrection glory, we see something else Upon His awesome brow. Now is His head with radiant glories crowned; now His lips with grace o'erflow. Do you think about Christ in such terms? Do you tell others about Christ with such language?

Recently we sang the hymn Fairest Lord Jesus. It is a hymn of comparisons. Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring: Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing. Another comparison: Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast. Why is He the fairest and the purest? Why is He described as the beautiful Savior! Why is He the Lord of the nations? Because He is Son of God and Son of Man! Therefore, worship Him. Glory and honor, Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine!

In Stennett’s hymn there are comparisons as well. And, again, there is no one worthy of comparison with Christ. No mortal can with Him compare, Among the sons of men; Fairer He is than all the fair That fill the heavenly train. Why does Stennett use such language? Why such praise of Christ? Because of His redemptive work on the cross and its personal application by the Holy Spirit to the believer. He saw me plunged in deep distress, He flew to my relief; For me He bore the shameful cross, And carried all my grief. His hand a thousand blessings pours Upon my guilty head; His presence gilds my darkest hours, And guards my sleeping bed. Again, why such praise? Because To Him I owe my life and breath, And all the joys I have: He makes me triumph over death, And saves me from the grave. How can I keep from singing about Him! To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue Its noblest tribute bring; When He’s the subject of the song, Who can refuse to sing? Since from His bounty I receive Such proofs of love divine, Had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they should all be thine!

Is this the language of your heart? At this time of the year, when thoughts run deep about the passion of Christ and the power of His resurrection, is such praise the result of your soundings of the depths of His love and mercy and grace? May your heart and voice be filled with the wonders of His redeeming love! Soli Deo gloria

To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue
Its noblest tribute bring;
When He's the subject of the song,
Who can refuse to sing!

Survey the beauties of His face,
And on His glories dwell;
Think of the wonders of His grace,
And all His triumphs tell.

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon His awesome brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o'erflow.

No mortal can with Him compare,
Among the sons of men;
Fairer He is than all the fair
That fill the heavenly train.

He saw me plunged in deep distress,
He flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross,
And carried all my grief.

His hand a thousand blessings pours
Upon my guilty head;
His presence gilds my darkest hours,
And guards my sleeping bed.

To Him I owe my life and breath,
And all the joys I have:
He makes me triumph over death,
And saves me from the grave.

To heaven, the place of His abode,
He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God,
And makes my joys complete.

Since from his bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be thine!

--Samuel Stennett

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