To God the Anthem Raising
To God the anthem raising
To God the Anthem Raising is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 73, lw 26, tlh 112.
This hymn embodies the Lutheran principle of the priesthood of all believers through congregational song raised in unified praise to God. It demonstrates the Lutheran recovery of Psalm-singing as central to worship, echoing the Reformation's emphasis on Scripture and congregational participation.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Gott, dir sei Lob und Preis gesungen' was published in 1610 and became a staple of German Lutheran worship. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection 'Chorale Book for England,' making it accessible to English-speaking Lutherans.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 73
- Lutheran Worship — 26
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 112
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn exemplifies the Reformation's recovery of Psalm-singing and congregational participation in worship, embedding Scripture and grateful praise at the heart of Lutheran devotion.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel call to grateful response: having received God's grace in Christ, believers cannot help but overflow in praise, making congregational song itself an act of faith and witness to God's mercies.
Background Research
Paul Eber (1511–1569), Wittenberg pastor and professor, Melanchthon's colleague (see TLH 522). 'Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen' was first published in Wittenberg in 1570, after his death; TLH's 1571 is a later printing. It is for the close of the old year and the turn to the new: thank God's goodness through the past year, confess sins, pray for the year ahead (orgelbuechlein.co.uk). The melody is by Wolfgang Figulus (Töpfer, c. 1525–89), published in Frankfurt an der Oder, 1575. Bach: Orgelbüchlein BWV 613 (from memory, the New Year chorale), and several New Year cantatas end with its stanzas (BWV 16, 28, 183, from memory). Carl Døving (Norwegian-American, see TLH 467) made the English (1907) for the Lutheran Hymnary.
Sources: Orgelbüchlein Project 'Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen'.
Overview
A year's-end thanksgiving hymn by Paul Eber, Melanchthon's colleague at Wittenberg (compare TLH 522), translated by the Norwegian-American pastor Carl Døving. It calls all Christians to thank God for keeping them through the year (st. 1), to consider his manifold mercies of food and clothing (st. 2), peace for Church and State, his vineyard planted by grace, and prosperity (st. 3). St. 4 states the Gospel: the Father yearns to take us as his own when we mourn our sins and trust in Christ alone. St. 5 confesses that had God dealt with us according to our sins, we would all be lost. St. 6 asks, in Jesus' name, for a joyful new year.
Central theme: Year's-end thanks for God's gifts to Church, State and home, with confession that all is grace through Christ
Structure
Six eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6.6.7.7.6). Praise (1) — mercies considered (2) — Church and State (3) — repentance and faith (4) — not dealt with as we deserve (5) — new year prayer (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'our transgressions mourning'; if God had given us our 'meed,' 'we all would then be lying in sin and sorrow dying' (4-5). Gospel: the Father's yearning heart; 'He pardons our transgression' (4).
Confessional Connections
St. 4 is AC XII in a stanza: repentance is contrition ('our transgressions mourning') and faith ('we trust in Christ alone'), and God 'pardons our transgression.' St. 5: 'If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, who could stand?' (Ps 130:3) — all preservation is grace. Peace for Church and State (1 Tim 2:2; two kingdoms, AC XVI). Prayer 'in Jesus' name' (John 16:23).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
New Year's Eve; year's end; Thanksgiving.
Historical Notes
Eber (1511-1569), Wittenberg pastor and professor; TLH dates the hymn 1571 (posthumous printing). Døving (1867-1937) translated many hymns for Norwegian-American Lutherans.
About the Tune
HELFT MIR GOTT'S GÜTE PREISEN (Wolfgang Figulus, 1575).
Scripture References
Ps 101:1 Ps 103:2 Ps 65:11 Matt 6:25-33 1 Tim 2:1-2 Isa 5:1-7 Ps 80:8-9 Luke 15:20 Ps 51:17 John 14:6 1 John 1:9 Ps 130:3-4 Ps 103:10 Lam 3:22 John 16:23 Num 6:24-26
Stanza by Stanza
Raise the anthem to God; sing, Christians, great and small; sing out in praise of his goodness and thank him, all of you! See how God has befriended his children near and far in love during this year, now safely ended.
Ps 101:1 (TLH's text): 'I will sing of steadfast love and justice.' 'You crown the year with your bounty' (Ps 65:11).
- Scripture
- Ps 101:1, Ps 65:11, Ps 103:2
- Imagery & language
- Anthem; year safely ended.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God's goodness.
- Connection to previous
- Praise.
Let us rightly consider his many mercies and not think lightly of all his countless gifts. Let thankfulness remember how God has led us this year, how he has clothed and fed us, great and small.
'Forget not all his benefits' (Ps 103:2). Clothed and fed (Matt 6:25-33; SC First Article).
- Scripture
- Ps 103:2, Matt 6:25-33
- Imagery & language
- Mercies manifold; clothed and fed.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — daily provision.
- Connection to previous
- Consider.
He granted peace everywhere to Church and State; he has planted his vineyard among us by his grace. His ever-generous hand has given prosperity and driven want and famine from our native land.
Peace for Church and civil order (1 Tim 2:1-2) — the two kingdoms. God's vineyard (Isa 5:1-7; Ps 80:8-9) — the Church planted by grace through the Word. Prosperity as gift (SC Fourth Petition).
- Scripture
- 1 Tim 2:1-2, Isa 5:1-7, Ps 80:8-9
- Imagery & language
- Church and State; vineyard; prosperity.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessings in both kingdoms.
- Connection to previous
- Church and State.
His Father's heart longs to take us as his own when, mourning our sins, we trust in Christ alone; when we pray in his name and humbly confess, he pardons our sin and is our faithful support.
The prodigal's father (Luke 15:20). Contrition (Ps 51:17) and faith 'in Christ alone' (John 14:6) — the two parts of repentance (AC XII). 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive' (1 John 1:9).
- Scripture
- Luke 15:20, Ps 51:17, John 14:6, 1 John 1:9
- Imagery & language
- Father heart; mourning; Christ alone; pardon.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — confession; Gospel — pardon.
- Connection to previous
- Repentance.
Our God has defended us well and kept us by his grace; but if he had fought against us to trace our sins and given us what we deserved, we would all be lying in sin and sorrow, dying, each for his own wrongdoing.
'If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness' (Ps 130:3-4). 'He does not deal with us according to our sins' (Ps 103:10). 'His mercies never come to an end' (Lam 3:22).
- Scripture
- Ps 130:3-4, Ps 103:10, Lam 3:22
- Imagery & language
- Defended by grace; our deserved meed.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — what we deserve; Gospel — what we receive.
- Connection to previous
- Not as we deserve.
Dear Father in heaven, for all the gifts of love you have given us we lift our thanks to you. In Jesus' name we pray to you here and still ask for your blessing: grant us a joyful year.
Prayer in Jesus' name (John 16:23). The New Year's blessing (Num 6:24-26).
- Scripture
- John 16:23, Num 6:24-26
- Imagery & language
- Father; Jesus' name; joyful year.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessing asked.
- Connection to previous
- New year.
Themes
Praise and adoration God's sovereignty Doxology Psalm singing Lutheran piety