Let Songs of Praises Fill the Sky
Let songs of praises fill the sky
Let Songs of Praises Fill the Sky is a hymn text by Johann Balthasar König (1738) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in tlh 232. Sung to LOBT GOTT, IHR CHRISTEN.
The hymn expresses the Lutheran emphasis on joyful faith and the comfort of the Gospel, celebrating God's work of salvation through Christ. It reflects the Reformation's recovery of congregational praise and the assurance of divine love which Paul describes in Romans 5:5.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by König in 1738 as an Easter hymn. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her collection of German Protestant hymns.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 232
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by J. B. König in 1738, this German hymn exemplifies the Lutheran Reformation's recovery of congregational song as an expression of assured faith—not earned through works, but freely received and joyfully proclaimed.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's call to exuberant faith: having heard the proclamation of forgiveness in Christ, the redeemed cannot help but sing, transforming the promise of divine love into congregational praise.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Christ's humble incarnation witnessed by shepherds and cosmos, through his revelation to the nations as divine light, to his eternal kingship and glory
Overview
Thomas Cotterill's Pentecost hymn with the refrain 'All hail the day of Pentecost, / The coming of the Holy Ghost!' The ascended Christ sends the Spirit as promised (st. 1); the Spirit's breath creates new life, raising sinners dead in trespasses (st. 2); he takes the things of Christ and shows them to us, makes the fallen soul his temple and restores God's image (st. 3); come with fire and inspire hearts and tongues — 'Be this our day of Pentecost' (st. 4).
Central theme: The Spirit sent by the ascended Christ to raise the spiritually dead, show them Christ and restore God's image
Structure
Four six-line stanzas (8.6.8.6.8.8) with refrain. Sent (1) — new life (2) — Christ shown, image restored (3) — our Pentecost (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'death of trespasses and sin'; 'the fallen soul' (2-3). Gospel: the Spirit quickens and restores (2-3).
Confessional Connections
Rom 5:5 (TLH's text): 'God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.' St. 2: sinners are 'dead in trespasses' (Eph 2:1) — not sick but dead, so the Spirit 'quickens' them; conversion is wholly God's work (FC II.7, 20-24). St. 3: 'The things of Christ the Spirit takes' (John 16:14) — the Spirit does not bring a new revelation but delivers Christ through the Word (SA III.VIII against enthusiasm). 'God's image stamps again' — renewal begun here, completed in glory (FC I; Col 3:10).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Pentecost.
Historical Notes
Cotterill (1779-1823), Anglican curate in Sheffield, published it in his Selection of Psalms and Hymns (1819 edition), whose inclusion of hymns in Anglican worship was challenged in church court.
About the Tune
ERFURT (Herman Ilse, 1910).
Scripture References
Rom 5:5 Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:33 John 3:5-8 Ezek 37:9-10 Eph 2:1-5 John 16:14-15 1 Cor 6:19 Col 3:10 Eph 4:24 Acts 2:3 Acts 2:11
Stanza by Stanza
Let songs of praise fill the sky: Christ our ascended Lord sends his Spirit down from on high, as he promised. Hail the day of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit!
'Being exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this' (Acts 2:33). Refrain: 'All hail the day of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Ghost!'
- Scripture
- Acts 2:33, Acts 2:1-4, John 16:7
- Imagery & language
- Praise; ascended Lord; Spirit sent.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the promise kept.
- Connection to previous
- Sent.
The Spirit by his heavenly breath creates new life within; he raises sinners from the death of trespasses and sin. Hail the day of Pentecost!
'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain' (Ezek 37:9). 'Born of water and the Spirit' (John 3:5). 'You were dead in the trespasses… God… made us alive together with Christ' (Eph 2:1-5).
- Scripture
- Ezek 37:9-10, John 3:5-8, Eph 2:1-5
- Imagery & language
- Breath; new life; dead in sin.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — spiritual death; Gospel — quickened.
- Connection to previous
- New life.
The Spirit takes the things of Christ and shows them to people; he makes the fallen soul his temple and stamps God's image on it again. Hail the day of Pentecost!
'He will take what is mine and declare it to you' (John 16:14-15). 'Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit' (1 Cor 6:19). 'The new self… renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator' (Col 3:10; Eph 4:24).
- Scripture
- John 16:14-15, 1 Cor 6:19, Col 3:10, Eph 4:24
- Imagery & language
- Things of Christ; temple; image restored.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ delivered; image renewed.
- Connection to previous
- Christ shown.
Come, Holy Spirit, from above with your heavenly fire; come and inspire our hearts and tongues with flames of zeal and love. Let this be our day of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit!
'Divided tongues as of fire' (Acts 2:3). 'We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God' (Acts 2:11). The Spirit comes today through Word and Sacrament (AC V).
- Scripture
- Acts 2:3, Acts 2:11, Rom 12:11
- Imagery & language
- Celestial fire; hearts and tongues; our Pentecost.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit today.
- Connection to previous
- Our Pentecost.
Themes
Praise and worship Joy in Christ Resurrection hope Doxology Christian testimony