Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

We Praise Thee O God Our Redeemer Creator

We praise thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator

We Praise Thee O God Our Redeemer Creator is a hymn text by Julia Cady Cory (1902) in 10.10.11.11 meter. Found in ch95 9, elw 862, gtg 612, lbw 241. Sung to KREMSER.

This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of creation and providence, celebrating God as both Creator and Redeemer who sustains all things. It reflects the Lutheran emphasis on thankfulness for God's gifts and recognition of divine care over all creation.

History & Background

Written by Julia Cady Cory in 1902, this hymn was first published in the Methodist hymnal and later adopted by Lutheran traditions. It became widely used in American Protestant hymnals throughout the 20th century.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Chalice Hymnal — 9
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 862
  • Glory to God — 612
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 241
  • Lutheran Service Book — 785
  • Lutheran Worship — 494
  • New Century Hymnal — 34
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 568
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 9

Bulletin Note

Written in 1902 by Julia Cady Cory, this hymn reflects Dutch Reformed tradition (tune Kremser) while articulating distinctly Lutheran doctrine: God's creative power and redemptive grace are inseparable gifts deserving perpetual thanksgiving.

Preaching Connection

This hymn anchors Lutheran theology's insistence that the God who creates is the God who redeems in Christ, inviting the congregation to respond to grace with active praise and service.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Grateful acknowledgment of God's redemptive work moving toward renewed commitment to corporate praise and service

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

An American hymn of national and congregational thanksgiving by Julia Cady Cory, written for the Dutch melody KREMSER. TLH lists the Dutch song 'Wilt heden nu treden' (1626) as the original, but Cory's words are a new text for the tune, not a translation of it. It brings grateful praise to God as Redeemer and Creator (st. 1), blesses the God of our fathers who guided them through storms and gives escape and victory (st. 2), and unites voices in praise to the strong arm that guides us (st. 3). It is a hymn of praise rather than of doctrine, but it pairs Redeemer and Creator from the first line.

Central theme: United, grateful praise to God, Redeemer and Creator, guide of our fathers and present helper

Structure

Three four-line stanzas (12.11.12.11) with internal rhymes in the third line. Praise (1) — God of our fathers (2) — united praise (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel/praise: God as Redeemer, guide, deliverer. No Law section.

Confessional Connections

Redeemer and Creator confessed together (First and Second Articles). Praise and thanksgiving as the proper response to God's gifts (SC First Article: 'For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him'). 'Our battles we win' — read in the Church as victory in Christ (1 Cor 15:57), not national triumphalism.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Thanksgiving Day; harvest; national days; anniversaries; general praise.

Historical Notes

The tune comes from Adrianus Valerius's Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck (Haarlem, 1626), a collection celebrating Dutch liberation from Spain; Eduard Kremser's 1877 arrangement made it popular, and it is best known with 'We Gather Together.' Hymnary sources commonly date Cory's text 1902; TLH's 1882 may be her birth year — verify.

About the Tune

KREMSER (Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck, Haarlem, 1626; arr. Eduard Kremser, 1877).

Scripture References

Ps 26:12 Ps 95:6 Ps 100:4 Exod 3:15 Ps 107:28-30 1 Cor 10:13 Ps 44:5-8 Rom 15:6 Ps 89:13 Ps 46:7

Stanza by Stanza

1 We praise Thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator,…

We praise you, God our Redeemer and Creator; we bring our tribute in grateful devotion; we lay it before you, kneel and adore, bless your holy name and sing glad praises.

Ps 26:12 (TLH's text): 'in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.' Note the order — 'Redeemer' before 'Creator': we know the Creator rightly through the Redeemer. Kneeling and adoring (Ps 95:6).

Scripture
Ps 26:12, Ps 95:6, Ps 100:4, Ps 103:1
Imagery & language
Tribute; kneeling.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — praise.
Connection to previous
Praise.
praise thanksgiving Creation and Redemption
2 We worship Thee, God of our fathers, we bless Thee;…

We worship and bless you, God of our fathers; you have been our guide through life's storm and tempest. When dangers overtake us you will make a way of escape, and with your help, Lord, we win our battles.

'God of our fathers' (Exod 3:15) — God's faithfulness across generations. Storm and tempest (Ps 107:28-30). 'Escape Thou wilt make us' — 1 Cor 10:13. Battles won by God's help (Ps 44:5-8).

Scripture
Exod 3:15, Ps 107:28-30, 1 Cor 10:13, Ps 44:5-8, Ps 60:12
Imagery & language
Fathers; storm; battles.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — God's past and present help.
Connection to previous
God of our fathers.
faithfulness of God providence deliverance
3 With voices united our praises we offer,…

With united voices we offer praise and raise glad anthems to you, great Jehovah. Your strong arm will guide us; our God is beside us; praise be to you forever, our great Redeemer.

'With one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom 15:6). God's strong arm (Ps 89:13). 'Our God is beside us' (Ps 46:7). Ends where it began: 'our great Redeemer.'

Scripture
Rom 15:6, Ps 89:13, Ps 46:7, Rev 5:12-13
Imagery & language
United voices; strong arm.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — praise to the Redeemer.
Connection to previous
United praise.
praise unity of the Church redemption

Themes

God's providential care Redemption and creation Thanksgiving and praise God's sustaining grace

Look Further