Praise the Almighty; My Soul, Adore Him
Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him
Praise the Almighty; My Soul, Adore Him is a hymn text by Joachim Neander (1680) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in elw 888, lbw 539, lsb 797, lw 445. Sung to LOBE DEN HERREN.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran devotional practice by uniting corporate praise with personal adoration, reflecting the Reformation emphasis on congregational hymnody as a vehicle for theological instruction. The text celebrates God's omnipotence and providential care while inspiring individual trust, central to Lutheran spirituality.
History & Background
Originally written in German as 'Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren' by Joachim Neander around 1680, this hymn was first published in the Stralsund Gesangbuch in 1665 (some sources cite 1680). Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her Chorale Book for England (1863), becoming one of the most widely used English versions.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 888
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 539
- Lutheran Service Book — 797
- Lutheran Worship — 445
- Trinity Hymnal — 5
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 26
- With One Voice — 688
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Joachim Neander in 1680, this German hymn exemplifies Reformed-Lutheran devotional practice, uniting personal soul-praise with congregational witness to God's providential majesty and sustaining grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the proclamation of God's omnipotent care from abstract doctrine into lived devotion, enabling the congregation to embody the Gospel's promise that divine majesty is also intimate providence.
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)
Background Research
'Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele' by Johann Daniel Herrnschmidt (1675-1723), born at Bopfingen, Halle-trained; court preacher at Idstein (1712), then professor of theology at Halle (1715) and sub-director of Francke's orphanage and Pädagogium. Written during his first Halle years; published in Freylinghausen's Geistreiches Gesangbuch (1714). Based on Psalm 146. Source: Blue Letter Bible bio (Julian).
In the Church Year
Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Proper 18; St. James Of Jerusalem
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A paraphrase of Psalm 146 by a Halle Pietist. It praises God lifelong (st. 1), warns against trusting human rulers (st. 2), blesses those who trust in the Lord (st. 3), praises the Creator's sure rule (st. 4), his care for penitent sinners and the poor (st. 5), and calls all creation to praise the Trinity (st. 6). Characteristically Lutheran, the translation explicitly names Christ as the one to trust (st. 2-3).
Central theme: Lifelong praise and trust in the Lord rather than in human power
Structure
Follows Ps 146: vow of praise (1-2a), warning (3-4), blessing (5-6), God's works (7-9), reign (10); doxology.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gentle Law (mortality of princes, st. 2); Gospel (pardon for penitents, st. 5).
Confessional Connections
First Commandment: fear, love, and trust in God above all things (Large Catechism on false trust in power and wealth).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Opening hymn; Sundays with Ps 146 or care for the poor; civic occasions (a corrective to political trust).
Historical Notes
Herrnschmidt (1675-1723) was a professor at Halle. Brauer, an Australian Lutheran, translated it for the 1925 Australian Lutheran Hymn-Book.
About the Tune
LOBE DEN HERREN, O MEINE SEELE (1665) — buoyant, with a Hallelujah refrain.
Scripture References
Ps 146 Ps 103:1 Ps 118:8-9 Jer 17:5-8 Rom 8:38-39 Ps 68:5
Stanza by Stanza
The singer commands his own soul to praise God, vowing to praise him until death with songs as long as he lives, because his life and all things come from God.
Ps 146:1-2 ('Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live'). Self-address ('my soul') is a psalmic device for stirring oneself to praise (Ps 103:1). 'From Him my life and all things came' grounds praise in creation (Acts 17:25). Praise is lifelong, not occasional.
- Scripture
- Ps 146:1-2, Ps 103:1, Acts 17:25, Ps 104:33
- Imagery & language
- Self-exhortation; breath.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Opening vow.
Do not trust rulers; they are mortal and decay; their plans fail at death; since no human can help, trust Christ, our God and Lord.
Ps 146:3-4 ('Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation'). The grave ends every human plan. The translation makes the psalm Christological: 'Trust ye in Christ, our God and Lord' — Christ is the Lord of Ps 146. This is the First Commandment: whatever we trust above all is our god (Large Catechism).
- Scripture
- Ps 146:3-4, Ps 118:8-9, Jer 17:5, Isa 2:22
- Imagery & language
- Princes; grave claiming its prey.
- Law / Gospel
- Law (human mortality) leading to Gospel (trust in Christ).
- Connection to previous
- Contrast with the true object of trust.
Blessed forever is the one whose help is the Lord, whom nothing can separate from saving faith, who draws near to Christ in hope; the Lord gives counsel and help to all who trust him.
Ps 146:5 ('Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob'). 'Whom from the saving faith naught can sever' echoes Rom 8:38-39. The blessed person 'draws nigh' to Christ in hope (Heb 7:19, 25). Blessedness consists in having God as helper, not in circumstances.
- Scripture
- Ps 146:5, Rom 8:38-39, Heb 7:25, Jer 17:7-8, Ps 1:1
- Imagery & language
- Blessing; drawing near.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessedness of trust.
- Connection to previous
- Positive counterpart to st. 2.
God the Creator rules sky, land, and sea; he ordained all things and they come to pass without fail; he rules over rich and poor, and his promise stands sure.
Ps 146:6 ('who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever'). God's decrees come to pass (Isa 46:10). 'His rule is over rich and poor' — no one is beyond his authority, which sets up the next stanza's care for the poor. 'His promise ever standeth sure' — faithfulness.
- Scripture
- Ps 146:6, Isa 46:10, Prov 22:2, Num 23:19
- Imagery & language
- Ruler of sky, land, sea.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — sovereignty and faithfulness.
- Connection to previous
- Grounds trust in God's power and reliability.
Repentant sinners who cry for mercy receive pardon and peace; God supplies the poor, remains faithful, and helps his children, widows, and orphans in distress.
Ps 146:7-9 (justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, care for the sojourner, widow, and fatherless). The translator adds a strong Gospel line: 'Penitent sinners… Pardon and peace from Him obtain' (Luke 18:13-14). God's care for the weak is both spiritual and material, and it implies the church's calling to care for the poor (Jas 1:27).
- Scripture
- Ps 146:7-9, Luke 18:13-14, Ps 68:5, Jas 1:27, Ps 34:6
- Imagery & language
- Crying for mercy; widows and orphans.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — pardon and provision.
- Connection to previous
- Shows what God's rule (st. 4) looks like.
All humanity is called to praise God's holy name for his wonders; all creation sings its Amen; God's children join angels in praising the Trinity.
Ps 146:10 and Ps 150:6 ('Let everything that has breath praise the LORD'). The 'Amen' of creation recalls Rev 5:14. The closing Trinitarian doxology Christianizes the psalm. Praise begins with 'my soul' (st. 1) and ends with all creation and angels.
- Scripture
- Ps 146:10, Ps 150:6, Rev 5:13-14, Matt 28:19
- Imagery & language
- Universal choir; Amen.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Widens the praise of st. 1 to all creation.
Themes
Adoration of God Divine care and protection Trust in providence Praise and thanksgiving God's lordship