All Praise to Thee Eternal God
All praise to thee, eternal God
All Praise to Thee Eternal God is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1524) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in elw 831, lbw 48, lsb 382, lw 35. Sung to OLD 124TH.
This hymn embodies the Lutheran understanding of the incarnation as the supreme revelation of God's redemptive love, emphasizing how the eternal Word became flesh for human salvation. It reflects the catechetical and didactic function of Lutheran hymnody to teach doctrine while evoking devotion to Christ's person and work.
History & Background
Martin Luther wrote this German hymn 'Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet' in 1524 as a response to the Christmas mystery and the incarnation. The English translation derives from various sources compiled for Lutheran hymnals, with primary textual work done for LBW and subsequent LSB editions.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 831
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 48
- Lutheran Service Book — 382
- Lutheran Worship — 35
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 80
- With One Voice — 648
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Luther, 1524. This Reformation hymn teaches the incarnation through song, embodying Luther's conviction that congregational hymnody should make doctrine sing in the hearts of believers with clarity and joy.
Preaching Connection
Luther's hymn transforms the abstract doctrine of incarnation into lived devotion, showing how the Gospel's central claim—that God condescends to human flesh for our salvation—calls forth both grateful praise and renewed trust in grace alone.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Petitionary prayer moving from personal plea for God's faithfulness, to remembrance of grace and the Holy Spirit's sustenance, to affirmation of God as ultimate strength despite human weakness, concluding with urgent reiteration of the opening petition.
Overview
Luther's Christmas hymn 'Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ' (1524), which expanded a single medieval German stanza into a full hymn, here in an anonymous 1858 English version. Each stanza ends 'Hallelujah' (Luther's 'Kyrieleis'). The eternal God puts on flesh and blood and takes a manger for his throne (st. 1); the One the skies bowed to lies in a virgin's arms (st. 2); he comes as our Guest, lowly so we may rise (st. 3); he comes in the night to make us children of light (st. 4); all this love wins our love and praise (st. 5).
Central theme: The eternal God born in flesh and blood, lowly so that we may be raised — the 'happy exchange' of Christmas
Structure
Five long-meter quatrains with 'Hallelujah' (Luther's 'Kyrieleis'). Manger throne (1) — virgin's arms (2) — our Guest (3) — children of light (4) — love's response (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: God's condescension 'for us'; 'Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth that we may rise to heaven' (3).
Confessional Connections
Luther's Christmas theology in brief: the eternal God 'clothed in garb of flesh and blood' (AC III; FC VIII: the personal union, so that the infant is truly God). The paradox — the Creator of worlds in a manger, held by a virgin — is the communication of attributes (FC VIII.24). St. 3's exchange: 'lowly… that we may rise' (2 Cor 8:9) — Luther's 'fröhlicher Wechsel.' Luther's original refrain 'Kyrieleis' (Lord, have mercy) here becomes 'Hallelujah.'
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas Day; Christmas season.
Historical Notes
The first stanza is a 14th-century German Leise; Luther added six stanzas in 1524. TLH prints this 1858 version, which is free and abridged. The source page gives no author line; Luther supplied from the byline.
About the Tune
GELOBET SEIST DU, JESU CHRIST (medieval melody; 1524).
Scripture References
John 1:14 Heb 2:14 Luke 2:7 Col 1:16-17 Isa 66:1 Luke 2:13-14 Matt 11:28 2 Cor 8:9 Phil 2:6-8 John 1:5, 9 Eph 5:8 Matt 13:43 1 John 4:19
Stanza by Stanza
All praise to you, eternal God, who, dressed in flesh and blood, take a manger for your throne while worlds upon worlds belong to you alone. Hallelujah!
John 1:14 (TLH's text): 'The Word became flesh.' 'Flesh and blood' (Heb 2:14). The manger (Luke 2:7) as throne of the One who made all worlds (Col 1:16) — 'Heaven is my throne' (Isa 66:1).
- Scripture
- John 1:14, Heb 2:14, Luke 2:7, Col 1:16-17, Isa 66:1
- Imagery & language
- Garb of flesh and blood; manger throne.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God incarnate.
- Connection to previous
- Manger throne.
Once the skies bowed before you; now a virgin's arms hold you, while angels who rejoice in you listen for your infant voice. Hallelujah!
The Creator held by his creature — the communication of attributes (FC VIII.24: Mary is truly Mother of God). Angels' joy (Luke 2:13-14).
- Scripture
- Ps 18:9, Luke 2:13-14, Isa 7:14
- Imagery & language
- Bowing skies; virgin's arms; infant voice.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the paradox of the incarnation.
- Connection to previous
- Virgin's arms.
As a little child you are our guest, so that weary ones may rest in you; your birth is forlorn and lowly so that we may rise from earth to heaven. Hallelujah!
Christ the 'Guest' — Luther's original 'Er ist auf Erden kommen arm' (He came to earth poor). Rest for the weary (Matt 11:28). 'He became poor, so that you… might become rich' (2 Cor 8:9) — the happy exchange.
- Scripture
- Matt 11:28, 2 Cor 8:9, Phil 2:6-8
- Imagery & language
- Guest; lowly birth; rising to heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the happy exchange.
- Connection to previous
- Our Guest.
You come in the dark night to make us children of light, to make us shine around you in the divine realms like your own angels. Hallelujah!
'The light shines in the darkness' (John 1:5). 'Children of light' (Eph 5:8). 'The righteous will shine like the sun' (Matt 13:43). Luther: 'Das ewig Licht geht da herein' — the eternal light enters.
- Scripture
- John 1:5, 9, Eph 5:8, Matt 13:43
- Imagery & language
- Darksome night; children of light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — light given.
- Connection to previous
- Light.
Your love has done all this for us; by this our love is won to you; for this we raise joyful songs and shout our thanks in endless praise. Hallelujah!
'For us' — the pro nobis of Christmas. 'We love because he first loved us' (1 John 4:19). Luther's final stanza: 'All this he did for us, to show his great love.'
- Scripture
- 1 John 4:19, Rom 5:8, Luke 2:20
- Imagery & language
- For us; love won; praise.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love answered with praise.
- Connection to previous
- For us.
Themes
Incarnation Redemption Triune God Thanksgiving Divine mercy