Sing Praise to the God of Israel
Sing praise to the God of Israel
Sing Praise to the God of Israel is a hymn text by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1980) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Found in ELH 46, elw 841, hs98 908, lsb 936. Sung to BESANÇON.
The hymn embodies Lutheran theology of God's covenantal faithfulness and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in Christ's coming, emphasizing both the Law's conviction and Gospel's redemptive work. It connects Zechariah's prophetic praise to congregational worship, highlighting the theme of spiritual awakening and the dawn of salvation's day.
History & Background
Jaroslav Vajda's paraphrastic hymnic setting of the Benedictus (Song of Zechariah) from Luke 1:68-79, composed in 1980 for Lutheran worship. First published in Lutheran Book of Worship (1978 prototype) and subsequently in Lutheran Service Book (2006), becoming a standard Advent and Christmas hymn in contemporary Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 46
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 841
- Hymnal Supplement 98 — 908
- Lutheran Service Book — 936
- Lutheran Worship — 377
Bulletin Note
Written in 1980 by Lutheran hymnologist Jaroslav Vajda, this modern hymn roots congregational song in Zechariah's canticle of messianic hope, weaving Old Testament promise with New Testament fulfillment in accessible, singable verse.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel arc: it calls us to recognize God's mighty acts of covenant mercy, then summons us to faithful obedience and service as the proper human response to such unmerited grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From God's eternal mercy and faithfulness → redemptive liberation through the Davidic savior → universal doxological response
In the Church Year
Suggested in the three-year series
- Advent 2 (2×)
- Lent 2 (1×)
- Nativity of St. John the Baptist (1×)
- Proper 14 (1×)
- Visitation (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Themes
Thanksgiving and praise God's faithfulness Messianic hope Benedictus canticle Redemption and grace