Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
A majestic German chorale calling all creation to bless the Almighty King.
Download PDFA majestic German chorale calling all creation to bless the Almighty King. Written by Joachim Neander (1680), set to the tune "Lobe den Herren" by Stralsund Gesangbuch (anon.).
Suggested pairing scripture
Psalm 103:1-2
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Read Psalm 103:1-2 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.
Read in contextWhen to sing this
Sing at outdoor services, harvest festivals, and gatherings that lift up the Creator's handiwork.
Lyrics
Stanza 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; Join me in glad adoration!
Stanza 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?
Stanza 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.
Stanza 4
Praise to the Lord! O 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 forever adore Him.
History & Background
Written by German Reformed pastor Joachim Neander in 1680 (the year before his death at age 30) and based on Psalms 103 and 150. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in 1863. The tune 'Lobe den Herren' first appeared in the Stralsund Gesangbuch in 1665.
Scripture Behind the Hymn
Psalm 103:1-2
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
Who translated this hymn into English?
Catherine Winkworth, a 19th-century English translator who made many German chorales available to English-speaking churches, published her version in 1863.
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Related Reading
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Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
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Where to go next
Enjoyed "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.
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