Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Holy God, we praise thy name
This hymn embodies Lutheran confessional faith by directing praise to the triune God while affirming the communion of saints across heaven and earth. It connects personal piety with corporate worship and ecumenical catholicity.
History & Background
Originally composed in German as 'Grosser Gott, wir loben dich' by Ignaz Franz in 1771, based on the Te Deum Laudamus. Clarence Walworth translated it into English in 1858, making it accessible to English-speaking Protestants.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 67
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 380
- Gather 4th Edition — 662
- The Hymnal 1982 — 366
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 535
- Lutheran Service Book — 940
- Lutheran Worship — 171
- Trinity Hymnal — 103
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 250
- United Methodist Hymnal — 79
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Ignaz Franz in 1771, this German hymn bridges Catholic and Protestant tradition, affirming Lutheran confessional faith while celebrating the ecumenical communion of all saints who praise God's triune nature across heaven and earth.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens any proclamation of Christ's lordship and the communion of saints by moving believers from hearing the Gospel to embodying corporate doxology—the fitting human response to God's overwhelming grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From creation's scope (God's majesty and dominion) through the communion of saints (apostolic witness) to Trinitarian doxology (eternal glory)
Themes
Doxology and praise The church triumphant Angelic worship Trinitarian confession