Praise Oh Praise Our God and King
Praise, oh, praise our God and King
This Lutheran hymn celebrates God's eternal mercy and covenant steadfastness, central to Lutheran understanding of God's grace. The emphasis on God's mercies enduring forever reflects the Lutheran affirmation of God's faithful sustenance of creation and redemption through Christ.
History & Background
Written by Henry Fitz Lyte in 1836, this hymn was published in his collection and became popular in English-speaking Lutheran congregations through inclusion in The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH, 1941). The text emphasizes the refrain structure of Psalm 136 with its repeated 'For His mercies endure forever' motif.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Hymnal 1982 — 420
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 570
Bulletin Note
Written by Henry Lyte in 1836, this hymn grounds praise in God's covenant mercies—reflecting the Lutheran conviction that all creation is sustained by grace alone, not human merit or effort.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel proclamation of God's eternal mercy by giving the hearer a voice of response—moving from the Law's exposure of our need to grace's joyful acknowledgment of God's faithful covenant love in Christ.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological anticipation (St. 1-2) → Incarnational paradox (St. 3) → Pneumatological reign (St. 4)
Themes
God's sovereignty Praise and thanksgiving God's mercies Covenant faithfulness