Praise To The Lord, The Almighty

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

Praise to the Lord Who over all things so wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how all thy longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth

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

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 for aye we adore Him

Joachim Neander
Catherine Winkworth
Stralsund Gesangbuch

The Almighty’s Anthem

Joachim Neander’s timeless hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” is more than just a beloved church song – it’s a resounding call to worship that echoes through the centuries. As we explore the rich lyrics of this masterpiece, let us tune our hearts to join in the glad adoration of our King.

From the very first line, Neander invites us to lift our voices in wholehearted praise: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!” This is no halfhearted hymn, no mere ritual recitation. It’s a full-throated declaration of God’s supremacy over all things. And lest we think this is a solo act, Neander quickly draws us into the chorus: “O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!”

But why should we praise this King? Neander gives us a litany of reasons, each one a brushstroke in a portrait of God’s tender care. He reigns wondrously over all things, sheltering us under His wings and gently sustaining us. He grants our heart’s deepest longings in His perfect plan. He prospers our work, defends us from harm, and attends us with goodness and mercy. In short, He is a God worthy of our worship.

Yet Neander’s hymn is more than a list of divine attributes – it’s an invitation to ponder anew the depths of God’s power and love. “Hast thou not seen,” he asks, “how all thy longings have been granted in what He ordaineth?” How often do we miss the signs of God’s faithfulness in our lives? This hymn is a reminder to reflect on His goodness with fresh eyes of faith.

As the final verse swells to a crescendo, Neander calls us to a life of unceasing worship: “Let the Amen sound from His people again; gladly for aye we adore Him!” May our praise not be confined to a single Sunday morning, but may it resound in our hearts and lives each day. For we serve a God who is worthy of nothing less than our all.

So let us join our voices with saints past and present, raising the ageless anthem of praise to our Almighty King. May Joachim Neander’s words inspire us anew to a life of glad adoration, as we celebrate the One whose love will never let us go.

Call to Worship

Brief but meaningful reflections to help your congregation engage with the story, emotions, and spiritual truths behind beloved hymns before lifting their voices in worship together. Feel free to read as is or put into your own words!

As we come together in worship today, I invite you to join in singing a hymn that has inspired generations of believers to lift their voices in praise. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” was penned by Joachim Neander over three centuries ago, yet its timeless words still resound with power and truth.

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, this hymn reminds us of the unshakable sovereignty of our God. He is the Almighty King of creation, reigning wondrously over all things. And yet, He is also our tender Shepherd, sheltering us under His wings and granting the desires of our hearts.

As we sing these words, let us ponder anew the depths of God’s goodness and love. Let us recall the countless ways He has been faithful in our lives, prospering our work, defending us from harm, and attending us with mercy.

Let’s join together in a chorus of glad adoration, declaring that our God is worthy of all our praise. And may our worship not end when the song fades away, but continue in our hearts and lives each day.