Hymn Reflection: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The German hymn writer, Joachim Neander, did not live a very long life, at least by our standards today. He was only 30 years old when he died, but his contribution to the church, and the worship through music, will be sung for years to come.
Born in 1650 in Bremen, Germany, Neander gave his life to the Lord at age 20. And through much turmoil, persecution and stress, he stayed faithful to his new faith in the Lord. Because his grandfather was a musician, and his father was a Latin teacher, he would find strength and courage in merging these two traits by writing of poetry and putting them to well-known melodies of the day. Although he died at age 30 of tuberculosis, his 60 hymns have been sung throughout the centuries and have helped the church find their voice, and has continued to encourage the church to keep their voice of praise.
His most known and beloved hymn, published in 1680, was a paraphrase of Psalm 103 and 150 with a declaration that everything that has breath must praise the Lord. This hymn was called “Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren” and translated in 1863 by Catherine Winkworth as “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.” He found a very known folk melody to marry his lyric to, and what was birthed must only be seen as anointed and powerful.
Even though it was written closely after the reformation concluded, most scholars call this song a hymn of the reformation because of its birth, theme, and place of origin. Although the original text has 7 stanzas, verses 1, 2, 4, and 7 have, for the most part, remained as the most common way to sing this hymn. Each verse gives glimpses of the character of God and then a call of response from the people of God to praise Him for the distinct ways that he provides and loves us.
In the first stanza, God is our Creator and King and we respond with hearing and drawing near to Him:
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.
In the second stanza, God is our Sustainer and Protector, and we respond with seeing His work, and remembering all that he has allowed and granted:
2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
In the third stanza, God is our Defender and Friend, and we respond with meditation about His power and love.
3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.
And in the final stanza that echo’s Psalm 150, it concludes with our response to all of who God is and what He has done by declaring that that all that hath life and breath come now with praises before Him!
4. Praise to the Lord, oh, let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him;
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
My favorite line in the entire hymn is “Let the “Amen” sound from His people again.” This pinnacle line, the final stanza, is not by chance but very strategic. When have to remember that the church had come out of centuries of music and praise being taken away from the people, and only led by the professional and pastors. When you look at this phrase through that lens, you understand and appreciate his call for the people of God, not just the leaders, to sing praise and adoration once again!
This hymn has stood the test of time. In fact, I led this hymn at Houston’s First Baptist Church this week in service and was reminded once again of the power and truth that it holds. I have seen this hymn led in many ways from a stripped-down acoustic verse, to led with a single instrument, to adding the full harmonies of the choir with majestic symphonic tones. I’ve also heard new choruses added to its stanzas to bring a freshness to it (click here for example of Travis Cottrell’s version). I once heard it said, that a great song, not just a good song, will work in a million different ways and remain great. I believe “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” is a magnificent and great hymn of praise that will be sung until Christ’s return.
