Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

Praise and Thanks and Adoration

Praise and thanks and adoration

The hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on grateful response to God's gracious acts, particularly in the context of worship and prayer. It reflects the Reformation principle of the priesthood of all believers, with all the faithful called to corporate praise and intercession.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this German hymn text in the early 17th century as an expression of thanksgiving and praise. John C. Macdonald translated it into English in 1948 for use in Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 783
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 470
  • Lutheran Service Book — 692
  • Lutheran Worship — 387
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 401

Translation

John C. Macdonald

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn exemplifies Lutheran piety: grateful response to God's grace through corporate worship. It reflects the Reformation principle that all believers offer priestly intercession and praise.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's movement from grace received to grateful response, making it a powerful echo of sermons that proclaim how God's mercy in Christ awakens the believer's heart to thankful praise and intercessory prayer.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

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 adoration Thanksgiving God's mercies Prayer and devotion Corporate worship

Look Further