Allelujah Let Praises Ring
Allelujah let praises ring
Allelujah Let Praises Ring is a hymn text by Laurentius Laurenti (1695) in 8.8.8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by E. Haupt and Martin H. Behm. Found in lsb 822, lw 437, tlh 23. Sung to LAUDA ANIMA.
This hymn celebrates the resurrection hope central to Lutheran Easter theology, emphasizing the believer's participation in Christ's victory over death. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of justification by faith as the grounds for eternal joy and heavenly praise.
History & Background
Written by Swedish hymn poet Laurentius Laurenti in 1695, this hymn became a beloved Easter celebration text. It was translated into English in 1941 and has appeared in major Lutheran hymnals throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Service Book — 822
- Lutheran Worship — 437
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 23
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Swedish hymnodist Laurentius Laurenti in 1695, this Easter anthem celebrates the resurrection as the grounds of the believer's eternal joy, reflecting the heart of Lutheran sacramental and evangelical theology.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran movement from Law to Gospel by transforming the despair of sin and death into ecstatic praise of Christ's resurrection, making it a powerful musical proclamation of justification by faith alone.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From personal redemption and grateful praise, through God's consistent mercy toward His people, to His tender care and protection, culminating in the cosmic vision of angels and saints in eternal adoration
Background Research
Earliest form: a 1655 Dresden broadsheet, 'Gaudium Aeternum', printed in memory of the lawyer Johann Scheffer: 31 eight-line stanzas on Revelation 21-22 (dedication names M. Martinus von Döring; author still unclear). The 4-stanza hymn TLH uses was drawn from it for the Darmstadt Geistreiches Gesang-Buch (1698), headed 'The Marriage Hymn' (the Lamb's wedding feast), then Freylinghausen (1704). In Germany a favorite 'swan-song' sung for the dying. Sometimes wrongly credited to Crasselius. Source: hymnary.org (Julian).
Overview
A Trinitarian hymn of praise to the Revelation 19 'Hallelujah.' St. 1 praises the Father who sustains creation; st. 2 the Lamb who bought and cleansed his bride, the church; st. 3 the Spirit who regenerates, works faith, and brings us to the Bridegroom; st. 4 the Triune God. Its theology is especially clear on the Spirit's work: regeneration and the gift of faith are his, not ours.
Central theme: Hallelujah to Father (creation), Son (redemption of his bride), and Spirit (regeneration and faith)
Structure
Trinitarian: Father (1), Son (2), Spirit (3), Trinity (4); each opens with 'Hallelujah! Let praises ring!'
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: election in Christ, purchase by blood, cleansing, regeneration.
Confessional Connections
Election in Christ as comfort (FC XI: 'In whom we are elected'); Baptism as cleansing 'in that blessed flood' (Eph 5:26); regeneration and faith as the Spirit's work (FC II; Third Article).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Holy Trinity; Easter season; festive openings.
Historical Notes
Anonymous; first printed 1698 in Germany.
About the Tune
WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET (Philipp Nicolai, 1599).
Scripture References
Rev 19:1-7 Neh 9:6 Isa 6:3 Eph 1:4 Acts 20:28 Eph 5:25-27 Titus 3:5 Eph 2:8 1 Pet 2:9 Rev 2:17
Stanza by Stanza
Hallelujah! Let praise ring out; let us bring songs of adoration to God the Father; to him be worship, honor, power, and praise forever, whose hand upholds creation; sing out: holy, holy is God; spread the story of our God, the Lord of glory.
Rev 19:1 ('Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God'). The Father as Creator and Preserver (Neh 9:6; Heb 1:3). 'Holy, holy' (Isa 6:3). 'Spread the story' — praise becomes proclamation (Ps 96:3).
- Scripture
- Rev 19:1, Neh 9:6, Heb 1:3, Isa 6:3, Ps 96:3
- Imagery & language
- Ringing praise; sustaining hand.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology — First Article.
- Connection to previous
- The Father.
Hallelujah! We sing to the Lamb of God in whom we are chosen; he bought his church with his own blood, cleansed her in that blessed flood, and chose her as his bride; holy is our union and communion; his friendship gives endless joy and peace.
A dense Second Article stanza. 'In whom we are elected' (Eph 1:4) — election is in Christ, and is comfort (FC XI). 'Bought His church with His own blood' (Acts 20:28). 'Cleansed her in that blessed flood' — Baptism (Eph 5:25-27, 'cleansed her by the washing of water with the word'). The church as bride (Rev 19:7-8). 'Union and communion' — union with Christ and with one another (1 Cor 10:16-17).
- Scripture
- Eph 1:4, Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25-27, Rev 19:7-8, 1 Cor 10:16-17, John 15:15
- Imagery & language
- Lamb; blood; flood; bride; union.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — redemption and Baptism.
- Connection to previous
- The Lamb.
Hallelujah! We sing to the Holy Spirit for our new birth; he worked saving faith in us, brought us to the Bridegroom, and made us his chosen nation; glory, eternal joy and bliss; there is manna and endless joyful Hosanna.
The Third Article in praise. 'Our regeneration' (Titus 3:5; John 3:5). 'The saving faith in us He wrought' — faith is the Spirit's work, not ours (Eph 2:8; 1 Cor 12:3; FC II). 'Unto the Bridegroom brought' — the Spirit leads the bride to Christ (John 16:14; Rev 22:17). 'His chosen nation' (1 Pet 2:9). 'Manna' — the hidden manna promised to the faithful (Rev 2:17; John 6:31-35).
- Scripture
- Titus 3:5, John 3:5, Eph 2:8, 1 Cor 12:3, Rev 22:17, 1 Pet 2:9, Rev 2:17
- Imagery & language
- Regeneration; Bridegroom; manna; Hosanna.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's work.
- Connection to previous
- The Spirit.
Hallelujah! We sing to our Triune God; blessed be his name forever; with the angels let us adore him and sing his praises more and more for all his grace and favor.
Doxology to the Trinity (Rev 19:4-6). 'For all His grace and favor' — the ground of all praise is grace. The refrain of st. 1 returns.
- Scripture
- Rev 19:4-6, Rev 5:11-13, Eph 1:6
- Imagery & language
- Angel hosts; grace and favor.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- The Trinity.
Themes
Resurrection joy Heavenly praise Redemption Eternal glory Angelic worship