Our God Our Help in Ages Past
Our God, our help in ages past
This hymn expresses the Lutheran emphasis on God's transcendence and eternal nature as sovereign Lord over all time and human weakness. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of Law and Gospel—acknowledging human finitude while directing faith to God's unchanging grace and strength.
History & Background
Isaac Watts paraphrased Psalm 90 and published this hymn in 1719 in his Psalms of David Imitated. It became one of the most beloved English hymns and has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the nineteenth century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 74
- Chalice Hymnal — 67
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 707
- Glory to God — 687
- The Hymnal 1982 — 680
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 320
- Lutheran Service Book — 733
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 405
- Lutheran Worship — 180
- New Century Hymnal — 25
- Trinity Hymnal — 53
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 123
- United Methodist Hymnal — 117
- Voices Together — 820
Bulletin Note
Isaac Watts (1674–1748) composed this text in 1719, paraphrasing Psalm 90. Known as the father of English hymnody, Watts shaped congregational singing to teach doctrine and comfort faith with theological depth.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel movement: it exposes human finitude and weakness, then redirects that awareness not to despair but to God's eternal sovereignty and protective grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From God's eternal constancy (past/present/future) through human transience and mortality, to renewed trust in divine protection and care
Themes
God's eternal nature Divine providence and protection Human mortality and trust God as refuge