Praise the Lord Rise Up Rejoicing
Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing
The hymn celebrates Christ's ascension and exaltation as central to Christian hope and redemption, emphasizing the risen Christ's present intercession. It reflects Lutheran confidence in Christ's victory over sin and death and His ongoing priestly work in heaven.
History & Background
Written by Henry Montagu Butler, headmaster of Harrow School, in 1862 as an Easter hymn. First published in "Psalms and Hymns" and became widely adopted in Anglican and Lutheran hymnals.
This post-communion text was first published in the British supplementary hymnal 100 Hymns for Today (1969). As a hymn of thanksgiving, fitting for the eucharistic (thanksgiving) character of the Lord’s Supper, the text rejoices in the victory of Christ on the cross (st. 1), the ingathering of Christ’s people, his body (st. 2), and the Christian’s task in the world (st. 3). Howard C. A. Gaunt (b. Birmingham, England, 1902; d. Winchester, England, 1983) wrote this hymn during his tenure as precentor at Winchester Cathedral in southern England. “Tom” Gaunt was ordained in the Church of England and spent much of his career in education. He was headmaster of Malvern College (1937-1953) and head of the English department at Winchester College (1953-1963). He was also chaplain, then precentor at Winchester Cathedral until retirement in 1973. A number of his hymn texts were first published in 100 Hymns for Today. 459 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 722
- The Hymnal 1982 — 334
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 196
- Lutheran Worship — 497
- Psalter Hymnal — 313
Liturgical Use
After the Lord’s Supper, to thank God for the salvation and unity that the sacrament represents in our lives; also appropriate for dismissal after the sacrament.
Bulletin Note
Written by Henry Montagu Butler in 1862, this ascension hymn emphasizes Christ's ongoing priestly intercession in heaven—a theme dear to Lutheran theology—set to the majestic tune Austria.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel proclamation of Christ's ascension by grounding our confidence not merely in a past event, but in His active, present intercession—a comfort that answers the deepest need of the conscience.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: The Church's unshakeable foundation in God's immutable word and covenant grace, moving from proclamation of election, to security against enemies, to provision of spiritual sustenance, to assurance of God's protective presence.
Themes
Resurrection and ascension Joy and rejoicing Divine majesty Eucharistic thanksgiving