Great God We Sing That Mighty Hand
Great God, we sing that mighty hand
The hymn emphasizes God's omnipotent hand working throughout creation and history, reflecting Lutheran confidence in divine sovereignty and providential care. It exemplifies the Reformed-evangelical piety that influenced Lutheran hymnody in the 18th-19th centuries through its focus on God's manifest power in nature and human experience.
History & Background
Written by John Newton in 1779, this hymn of praise celebrates God's mighty works and providential care. It appeared in Newton's Olney Hymns collection and has remained a staple of English-language Protestant hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 422
- New Century Hymnal — 422
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 119
- United Methodist Hymnal — 261
Bulletin Note
Written by John Newton (1779), the converted slave trader whose "Amazing Grace" reshaped evangelical hymnody. This hymn reflects his mature theology of divine sovereignty and grateful dependence, hallmarks of Reformed-influenced Lutheran piety.
Preaching Connection
This hymn proclaims the Gospel as God's active, protective power made manifest—inviting congregations to shift from anxiety about providence to confident trust in Christ's redemptive sovereignty.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (God's majesty and power) → Gospel (grateful response and humble adoration); movement from divine transcendence to human participation in praise
Themes
Divine providence God's power and majesty Gratitude and praise Divine protection