Great Is the Lord Our God
Great is the Lord our God
This hymn emphasizes the transcendent greatness and majesty of God, central to Lutheran worship's affirmation of God's sovereign glory. It expresses the creature's proper response of awe and reverence before the Holy One, reflecting Lutheran emphasis on both divine transcendence and accessibility through Christ.
History & Background
This hymn text appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 636, sourced from English hymnody traditions. The author attribution is unknown, suggesting it may be from earlier German or English collections.
Traditionally associated with the Levitical “Sons of Korah,” this Scripture References celebration song matches the exuberant faith of Psalm 46 (see st. 1 = w. 1-2 also 76,84,87,122,125, and 137). In the post-exilic liturgy of st. 2 = w. 3-8 the temple, this psalm was sung at the time of the morning st. 3 = w. 9-10 sacrifice on the second day of the week. Because the LORD st. 4 = w. ll-13a Almighty is present in Zion, that hill’s rather modest height is st. 5 = w. 13-14 likened to Mount Zaphon (North Mountain), the Mount Olympus where the Canaanite gods supposedly sat in counsel. Jerusalem, unlike the imperial capitals of Egypt and Mesopotamia, was no grand city. But her walls and citadels are impregnable because “the Great King” lives there. And in Jerusalem’s temple “we meditate on [God’s] unfailing love” (v. 9). In this psalm we proclaim the greatness of the LORD and the glory of his city (st. 1), extol God’s triumphs over Zion’s enemies and his people’s sense of security (st. 2), and praise the Lord’s love, grace, and righteousness (st. 3). Zion rejoices in its King and in the ramparts God maintains (st. 4). The psalmist exhorts the people to let succeeding generations know Zion will not fail—for God, the unfailing guide, is present there [by his Word and Spirit] (st. 5). Emily R. Brink versified stanza 1, and Bert Witvoet versified stanza 2; stanzas 3 through 5 (with some alterations) are from The Book ofPsalms (1871), a textonly psalter that was later published with music in 1887.
Hymnal Appearances
- Psalter Hymnal — 48
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 636
Liturgical Use
Beginning of worship; various points in festive services (including church anniver saries) , since the New Testament temple is the whole people of God.
Bulletin Note
This 19th-century hymn employs the majestic German tune Gott ist gegenwärtig, joining the Lutheran tradition of singing God's transcendent glory while experiencing His intimate presence in worship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn establishes the Law's proper work—revealing God's holiness and our smallness—creating the necessary emptiness into which Gospel mercy flows.
Themes
God's greatness Divine majesty Worship and praise God's dwelling place