Cantate Domino
O sing a new song to the Lord
The hymn embodies Grundtvig's emphasis on congregational song and the vitality of living faith, reflecting Lutheran themes of creation's praise and eschatological hope. It connects God's ongoing work in creation and history to the church's response of thanksgiving and worship.
History & Background
Grundtvig composed this text in 1837 as a Danish hymn drawing on Psalm 98's exhortation to sing a new song. The hymn was translated into Swedish by Peer Strömberg in 1928 and subsequently adapted for English Lutheran hymnals, appearing in The Lutheran Hymnal in 1941.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 312
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 667
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Danish bishop Nicolai Grundtvig in 1837, this hymn exemplifies his conviction that congregational song animates faith. It reflects both creation's praise and the church's eschatological hope in Christ's ongoing reign.
Preaching Connection
This Grundtvig hymn embodies the Gospel's power to awaken living faith: it moves from God's redemptive work in history to the congregation's joyful, irrepressible response of praise and thanksgiving.
Themes
praise and worship God's power and majesty creation's response to God eschatological joy