Praise to God Immortal Praise
Praise to God, immortal praise
Praise to God Immortal Praise is a hymn text by Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1772) in C.M. meter. Found in ch95 714, gtg 657, lw 496, nch 419.
The hymn embodies a theology of gratitude rooted in recognition of God's sovereignty and providential ordering of creation, reflecting the Lutheran emphasis on thankfulness as a response to grace. It connects material abundance to spiritual blessing, teaching that all gifts flow from God's fatherly provision and deserve praise even in seasons of want.
History & Background
Written by English hymnodist Anna Laetitia Barbauld in 1772, this hymn of thanksgiving was first published in her collection of evangelical hymns and became widely adopted in Protestant hymnals. It reflects 18th-century Enlightenment sensibility merged with evangelical piety, emphasizing gratitude for God's material blessings and providential care.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 714
- Glory to God — 657
- Lutheran Worship — 496
- New Century Hymnal — 419
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 572
- United Methodist Hymnal — 89
Bulletin Note
Written in 1772 by English poet Anna Laetitia Barbauld, this hymn weaves material and spiritual blessings into a seamless theology of grace, reflecting Lutheran conviction that God's gifts point us toward dependence on divine mercy.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's demand for gratitude into Gospel joy by grounding all thanksgiving in God's sovereign grace and fatherly provision rather than human duty.
Overview
A harvest and Thanksgiving hymn by Anna Laetitia Barbauld, the English poet and educator. It praises God as the source of every joy and blessing (st. 1); thanks him for summer's plenty and autumn's stores, flocks and grain (st. 2); for peace, health, prosperity, knowledge and 'true religion's holier beams' (st. 3); and asks that we respond by giving our best and proving our gratitude by 'deeds of kindly love' (st. 4). TLH's scripture, Habakkuk 3:17-18, adds an edge: we praise God even if the harvest fails.
Central theme: Thanksgiving to God, source of every blessing — harvest, peace, knowledge and above all true religion — shown in love
Structure
Four six-line stanzas (7.7.7.7.7.7). Praise (1) — harvest (2) — civil and spiritual blessings (3) — response in love (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel/First Article: all blessings are gifts. Response: thanks and 'deeds of kindly love' (4).
Confessional Connections
SC First Article: God gives 'food and drink, house and home… good government, peace, health' — all 'out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.' St. 3 ranks 'true religion's holier beams' above material gifts — the Gospel is the highest blessing. Thanks expressed in love of neighbor (AC VI). Hab 3:17-18 reminds that praise does not depend on prosperity.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Thanksgiving Day; harvest festival; national days.
Historical Notes
Barbauld (1743-1825) published it in 1772; TLH uses an altered cento.
About the Tune
DIX (Konrad Kocher; TLH dates 1833), better known with 'As with Gladness Men of Old.'
Scripture References
Hab 3:17-18 Ps 65:9-13 Jas 1:17 Ps 103:4 Ps 104:13-15 Ps 145:15-16 1 Tim 2:1-2 Jer 29:7 John 17:3 2 Cor 9:7-11 Gal 6:10 1 John 3:18
Stanza by Stanza
Praise to God, undying praise, for the love that crowns our days; generous source of every joy, let our tongues be busy with your praise. We owe everything to you, our God, the source from which all our blessings flow.
'Every good gift… is from above' (Jas 1:17). 'Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy' (Ps 103:4). Hab 3:17-18 (TLH's text): 'Though the fig tree should not blossom… yet I will rejoice in the LORD.'
- Scripture
- Jas 1:17, Ps 103:4, Hab 3:17-18
- Imagery & language
- Crowning love; source of blessings.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — all is gift.
- Connection to previous
- Praise.
For all the plenty summer pours, autumn's rich overflowing stores, flocks that whiten the plain, yellow sheaves of ripe grain — for these, Lord, our souls will raise grateful vows and solemn praise.
Ps 65:9-13: 'the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain.' God gives food in due season (Ps 145:15-16).
- Scripture
- Ps 65:9-13, Ps 104:13-15, Ps 145:15-16
- Imagery & language
- Summer plenty; flocks; sheaves.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — harvest gifts.
- Connection to previous
- Harvest.
For peace, prosperity and health, private happiness and public well-being, knowledge with its gladdening streams, and the holier light of true religion — for these, Lord, our souls will raise grateful vows and solemn praise.
SC Fourth Petition's 'daily bread' includes good government, peace and health. Prayer for the common good (1 Tim 2:1-2; Jer 29:7). 'True religion's holier beams' — the knowledge of God in Christ, the highest gift (John 17:3).
- Scripture
- 1 Tim 2:1-2, Jer 29:7, John 17:3
- Imagery & language
- Peace, health, knowledge, true religion.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — civil and spiritual gifts.
- Connection to previous
- Blessings.
As your prospering hand has blessed us, may we give you our best, and prove our gratitude for your mercies by deeds of kind love, singing all our days: praise to God, undying praise.
Generous giving (2 Cor 9:7-11). Gratitude shown in love for others (Gal 6:10; 1 John 3:18) — the fruit of faith (AC VI).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 9:7-11, Gal 6:10, 1 John 3:18
- Imagery & language
- Our best; kindly love.
- Law / Gospel
- Response — gratitude in love.
- Connection to previous
- Response.
Themes
Gratitude Divine providence Harvest blessing Stewardship Praise