Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

Lord God We All to Thee Give Praise

Lord God we all to Thee give praise

This hymn expresses the distinctly Lutheran emphasis on the communion of saints and the continuity between earthly and heavenly worship, with angels and the redeemed joining in eternal doxology. It reflects the Reformation's recovery of congregational song as a vehicle for theological instruction and praise, particularly the doctrine of God's transcendence joined with His incarnational mercy.

History & Background

Originally published as 'Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr' in 1523, this German hymn was among the earliest Lutheran hymn texts composed during the Reformation. Catherine Winkworth's English translation from 1863 became standard in English-language Lutheran hymnals throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 867
  • Lutheran Service Book — 522
  • Lutheran Worship — 189
  • Trinity Hymnal — 164
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 254

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Written by Nicolai Decius in 1523, this hymn expresses the Lutheran recovery of congregational song as theology and the profound truth that earthly worship joins the ceaseless praise of heaven's communion of saints.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of human unworthiness into the Gospel's joy of participation: we stand among the redeemed, not by our merit but by grace, joining the communion of saints in eternal praise.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Ascription of praise to God's sovereign power and love, followed by personal testimony of healing and sanctification, culminating in lifelong grateful service

Themes

Doxology Angels and saints Eternal praise Trinity Heavenly worship

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