All Praise to You Eternal Lord
All praise to you, eternal Lord
This hymn embodies Luther's emphasis on the incarnation as God's supreme gift to humanity, celebrating Christ as the Word made flesh dwelling among us. The text reflects Lutheran sacramental theology by connecting the incarnation to God's ongoing work in the church and communion.
History & Background
Martin Luther composed this hymn in 1524 as a eucharistic hymn for the German Lutheran church, emphasizing the incarnation and God's self-giving in Christ. The German original was widely used at communion services and was translated into English by Gracia Grindal in 1978 for use in contemporary Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 369
- Glory to God — 140
- The Hymnal 1982 — 107
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 48
- Lutheran Service Book — 382
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 84
- Lutheran Worship — 35
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 80
- Voices Together — 229
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Luther, 1524. This carol celebrates the incarnation as God's supreme gift and embodies the Reformation conviction that grace, not merit, is the heart of Christian faith and worship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel movement from Law to grace by lifting the incarnation itself as God's answer to human unworthiness—the Word dwelling among us as both judgment and mercy.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Themes
Incarnation Christ the Word made flesh Praise and thanksgiving God's mercy Sacramental life