Hymn Reflection: Holy God We Praise Thy Name
I was first exposed to this beautiful hymn in college at Houston Baptist University. The John Ferguson choral, organ, and brass arrangement opens with the alto section chanting the Te Deum text setting the tone for this medieval sounding hymn. A link to a performance by the choir of St. Olaf College can be found below:
History of the Hymn
The original text of the hymn is attributed to Ignace France with the original title “Grosser Gott, wir loben dich” as a paraphrase to the traditional Te Deum text for a German congregation. The hymn was later translated by Clarence A. Walworth into “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.” The hymn first found its home in American Roman Catholic and Episcopal hymnals in the late nineteenth century.
The Tune
The traditional tune to this hymn is GROSSER GOTT. It is reminiscent of the Gregorian chant that serves as the basis for the the hymn text. The tune is constantly moving with the traditional ebb and flow of a chant-like melody. This tune exudes the reverence that the text deserves.
The Text
Though originally eight stanzas, only four stanzas can be found in most American hymnals.
1 Holy God, we praise Your name;
Lord of all, we bow before You.
Saints on earth your rule acclaim;
all in heav’n above adore You.
Infinite Your vast domain;
everlasting is Your reign.
2 Hark, the glad celestial hymn
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord!”
3 Lo, the apostolic train
joins Your sacred name to hallow;
prophets swell the glad refrain,
and the white-robed martyrs follow;
and from morn to set of sun,
through the church the song goes on.
4 Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name You,
though in essence only one;
undivided God, we claim You,
and, adoring, bend the knee
while we own the mystery.
The opening three stanzas paraphrase the original Te Deum text:
We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim: continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles: praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;
(From The Book of Common Prayer)
These stanzas focus on all of the various groups of people and angels who worship Him in Isaiah 6. The third stanza concludes by stating that nothing can end the church’s song, not even the death of the Lord’s saints.
The final stanza deviates from the original Te Deum in a specific trinitarian manner. The author names the three Persons of the Trinity, then specifically points out that the three Persons are the same in essence and are one united entity though three persona. Through this stanza the author reminds the congregation that they are worshiping a triune God, not just one person of the Trinity.
In Closing
In closing, this hymn, although not traditionally sung in Southern Baptist churches, is a fantastic addition to one’s worship practices. It is a great opening hymn that focuses the congregation’s attention on the triune God that is worthy to be worshiped by us, just as the angels and saints have done for ages past.
