All Creatures of Our God and King
All creatures of our God and King
This hymn embodies Lutheran appreciation for creation as God's gift and the proper Christian response of thanksgiving and stewardship. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on praising God in the vernacular while maintaining Catholic mystical devotion to creation's witness to divine majesty.
History & Background
Francis of Assisi composed the Canticle of the Sun (Cantico del Sole) in 1225, a vernacular song praising God through His creation. William Henry Draper provided this English translation in 1926, adapting it for congregational hymn singing with the tune Lasst uns erfreuen.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 65
- Chalice Hymnal — 22
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 835
- Glory to God — 15
- The Hymnal 1982 — 400
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 527
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 5
- Lutheran Worship — 436
- New Century Hymnal — 17
- Trinity Hymnal — 115
- United Methodist Hymnal — 62
- Voices Together — 527
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Francis of Assisi in 1225, this hymn emerged from radical Franciscan poverty and creation theology. The tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN amplifies Francis's exuberant 'Alleluia' refrain with Renaissance German exuberance.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's summons to creatures great and small to praise their Maker responds to the Law's demand for thankful stewardship by declaring the Gospel's freedom: we praise not from obligation but from the overflowing joy of having received everything as grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Invocation of creation to praise God → enumeration of creatures' gifts → call to gratitude and eternal adoration
Themes
Creation care Praise of all creation God's sovereignty Franciscan spirituality Stewardship