Lord to You Immortal Praise
Lord, to You immortal praise
The hymn embodies Lutheran theology of God's sustaining providence and the Christian's appropriate response of gratitude regardless of circumstances, reflecting Pauline joy and Reformation emphasis on sola gratia. It demonstrates the sufficiency of God's grace when earthly blessings fail, central to Lutheran anthropology and soteriology.
History & Background
Originally published in German as "Gott Lob! nun gehet das Jahr zu Ende" in Schütz's songbook in 1661. Frances Elizabeth Cox translated this into English in 1864 for Anglican hymnody, and it became widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 496
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 572
Translation
Bulletin Note
Schütz (1661) wrote this hymn rooted in Pauline joy and Lutheran confidence in sola gratia—the grace of God alone sustains believers regardless of earthly fortune, reflecting Reformation theology of divine providence and human dependence.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel tension by exposing our bondage to circumstance and security, then proclaiming the freedom and sufficiency found only in God's eternal, inexhaustible grace revealed through Christ.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (divine majesty and power) → Gospel (providence, mercy, sustenance) → Gospel (daily goodness) → Gospel (communal adoration and response)
Themes
Praise and thanksgiving Providence of God Trust in adversity God's sustaining grace