Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

Holy God We Praise Your Name

Holy God, we praise your name

This hymn represents the ecumenical convergence between Lutheran and Catholic traditions, offering robust trinitarian theology in congregational form. The text emphasizes the communion of saints and the church's continuity between earth and heaven, central to Lutheran ecclesiology.

History & Background

Originally composed in German as 'Grosser Gott wir loben dich' by Ignaz Franz in 1774, this hymn became a staple of Austrian Catholic worship. Clarence Walworth's English translation from 1853 adapted the text for Protestant use and became standard in Lutheran hymnals.

This text is based on the anonymous fourth-century Latin hymn “Te Deum Laudamus,” which in one modern English prose translation reads: We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; all creation worships you, the Father everlasting. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. 674 GROSSER GOTT =120 Scripture References st. 2 = Isa. 6:3 Rev. 4:8 CHURCH & MISSION Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you took our flesh to set us free you humbly chose the virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come to be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. —English Language Liturgical Commission, from Praying Together, 1988 A classic text of the church, “Te Deum Laudamus” has been a staple item in many liturgies and is sometimes extended with versicles and responses. It is loved by all traditions of Christendom: Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. Much of the text consists of liturgical phrases and acclamations, including some from the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” (see 247). Over the centuries many composers have set this text in large choral works; it has been translated and versified into many languages and expressed in numerous hymns. A German versification of the “Te Deum” (“Grosser Gott, wir loben dich”) appeared anonymously in the Katholisches Gesangbuch (Vienna, around 1774) at the request of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Four years later that versification was also published by Ignaz Franz (b. Protzau, Silesia, 1719; d. Breslau [Poland], 1790) with small alter­ ations; thus it is attributed to Franz in some modern sources. Franz was a Roman Catholic priest who studied at Glas and Breslau. He held a number of church positions, the longest (1766 until his death) as an assistant in the ecclesiastical court in Breslau. Franz published ten books, the most important a Roman C

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 525
  • Glory to God — 4
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 535
  • Lutheran Service Book — 940
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 574
  • Lutheran Worship — 171
  • New Century Hymnal — 276
  • Psalter Hymnal — 504
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 250
  • With One Voice — 663

Translation

Clarence Walworth

Liturgical Use

An opening hymn at Sunday morning worship services (as is traditional for the “Te Deum”); an extended doxology for festive occasions.

Bulletin Note

Written by Catholic hymnist Ignaz Franz in 1774, this text became beloved in Lutheran worship, embodying ecumenical agreement on trinitarian praise and the communion of saints—a remarkable bridge across Reformation divisions.

Preaching Connection

This hymn's movement from divine majesty to Christ's redemptive grace to our invitation into heavenly praise mirrors the Law-Gospel arc, making it a powerful congregational echo of the cross's victory and our baptismal belonging.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

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

Praise of God Trinity Heavenly worship God's majesty Church triumphant

Look Further