All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine
All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine
This hymn expresses the Christological centerpiece of Lutheran theology by celebrating Christ's divine kingship and redemptive work as revealed in Philippians 2. The text emphasizes both Christ's incarnational humiliation and His exaltation, central to Lutheran soteriology.
History & Background
Melchior Vulpius, a German composer and organist, authored this hymn in the early 17th century as part of the German hymnodic tradition. The hymn was translated into English and has been adapted for various Lutheran hymnals including the Lutheran Service Book.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 102
- The Hymnal 1982 — 477
- Lutheran Service Book — 815
- United Methodist Hymnal — 166
Translation
Bulletin Note
Melchior Vulpius (1609) grounds this hymn in Philippians 2's kenotic Christology. The tune JESU MEINE ZUVERSICHT anchors the text in Lutheran confidence in Christ's person and work—central to confessional identity.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dialectic: Christ's humiliation satisfies the Law's demand, and His exaltation declares the Gospel's triumph, making it a powerful companion to any proclamation of justification through faith alone.
Themes
Christ's exaltation Christological praise Divine kingship Incarnation and redemption