Songs of Praise the Angels Sang
Songs of praise the angels sang
The hymn celebrates the unity of all creation in praising God, connecting Old Testament creation theology with New Testament incarnational faith. It emphasizes that worship is both a heavenly and earthly reality, uniting the church militant with the church triumphant in common adoration.
History & Background
Written by James Montgomery in 1819, this hymn was published in his 'Christian Psalmody' and has become a beloved Christmas hymn emphasizing the continuity of angelic praise from creation through the incarnation. It draws inspiration from Job 38:7 where the morning stars sang together at creation.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 841
- The Hymnal 1982 — 426
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 399
- Lutheran Service Book — 953
- Lutheran Worship — 447
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 35
Bulletin Note
James Montgomery (1771–1854), English Moravian hymnist, composed this carol in 1819 for Christmas. It uniquely weaves creation theology with incarnational joy, making the angels' praise our own through grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's cosmic scope: it proclaims that in Christ's incarnation, all creation—angelic and human—finds its true purpose in unified worship before the throne of grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From conviction of sin and burden (Law) to confidence in Christ's hearing and answering (Gospel) to assurance of complete provision (Gospel) to commitment in pilgrimage (Gospel)
Themes
Angelic praise Creation Incarnation Universal worship Divine majesty