We Sing the Almighty Power of God
We sing the almighty power of God
We Sing the Almighty Power of God is a hymn text by Isaac Watts (1715) in C.M. meter. Found in CW21 504, CW93 261, elw 815, lbw 543. Sung to ELLACOMBE.
The hymn expresses Lutheran understanding of God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, reflecting the doctrine of divine providence central to Lutheran theology. Its affirmation of God's power evident in creation aligns with Luther's emphasis on recognizing God's work in the natural world.
History & Background
Isaac Watts composed this hymn for children, first published in his 'Divine Songs Attempted in Easy Language for the Use of Children' (1715). It became one of the most popular hymns for celebrating God's creative power and providential care.
Written by Isaac Watts , this eight-stanza text originally Scripture References began “I sing the almighty power of God.” The text was published all st. = Gen. 1 Job 26 in Divine and Moral Songs for the Use of Children (1715; the first Ps. 104 hymnal intended primarily for children) with the heading “Praise for Creation and Providence.” The Psalter Hymnal omits the original stanzas 7 and 8 and combines the other six original stanzas into three long ones. Although it was written for children, this is also a great hymn for adults. The text presents a wonderful view of God’s creation sketched in vivid pictorial language. The creation around us is a beautiful panorama that testifies to its Creator, whose power and wisdom (st. 1), goodness and wonders (st. 2), and providence and omnipresence (st. 3) we confess with awe and praise.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 504
- Christian Worship — 261
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 815
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 543
- Lutheran Service Book — 834
- Lutheran Worship — 441
- New Century Hymnal — 12
- Psalter Hymnal — 430
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 43
- United Methodist Hymnal — 152
- With One Voice — 707
Liturgical Use
Many occasions as a strong opening hymn of praise; a congregational call to worship; springtime prayer services for crops/industry and for harvest thanksgiving (especially st. 4); festive processionals (use a concertato arrangement with brass and choral parts).
Bulletin Note
Written by Isaac Watts in 1715, this children's hymn became a cornerstone of English hymnody. Watts's genius lay in teaching theology through creation's song—a distinctly Lutheran insight that God's power is revealed through what He has made.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel proclamation by anchoring God's grace in the visible, tangible work of creation itself—inviting hearers to experience divine providence not as abstract doctrine but as present, sustaining reality that both accuses our neglect and comforts our anxious hearts.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Christ's welcome of children to congregational praise to eschatological 'Hosanna' acclamation
Overview
From Watts's 'Divine Songs for Children' (originally 'I sing the mighty power of God'). It praises God's power in creation (st. 1), wisdom in ordering the heavens (st. 2), goodness in providing food and calling creation good (st. 3), and his wonders everywhere (st. 4-5), and ends with total dependence: 'If Thou withdraw, we die' (st. 6). It is a First Article hymn, written for children but theologically sound.
Central theme: God's power, wisdom, and goodness in creation, and our moment-by-moment dependence on him
Structure
Power (1); wisdom (2); goodness (3); wonders everywhere (4-5); dependence (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
First Article praise; st. 6 adds a Law note ('ne'er that God offend').
Confessional Connections
First Article (Small Catechism): God created me and all creatures and still preserves them. Providence as continuous dependence (Acts 17:28).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Creation themes; harvest; Trinity season; children's services.
Historical Notes
From 'Divine and Moral Songs for Children' (1715), Watts's book for children.
About the Tune
ICH SINGE DIR in TLH.
Scripture References
Gen 1 Ps 104 Ps 136:7-9 Ps 145:15-16 Ps 19:1 Acts 17:25-28 Ps 104:29 Col 1:17
Stanza by Stanza
We sing of God's almighty power, who made the mountains rise, spread out the seas, and built the high skies.
Gen 1:1-10; Ps 104:5-9; Ps 95:4-5. Creation by God's command (Ps 33:6, 9). Watts wrote for children, so the language is concrete: mountains, seas, skies.
- Scripture
- Gen 1:1-10, Ps 104:5-9, Ps 95:4-5, Ps 33:6, 9
- Imagery & language
- Mountains; seas; skies.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology — creation.
- Connection to previous
- Power.
We sing the wisdom that appointed the sun to rule the day; the moon and stars also obey his command.
Gen 1:14-18; Ps 136:7-9; Ps 104:19. The order of the heavens shows God's wisdom (Prov 3:19; Jer 10:12).
- Scripture
- Gen 1:14-18, Ps 136:7-9, Ps 104:19, Prov 3:19
- Imagery & language
- Sun, moon, stars.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology — wisdom.
- Connection to previous
- Wisdom.
We sing the goodness of the Lord who fills the earth with food, made his creatures by a word, and declared them good.
Ps 145:15-16; Ps 104:27-28 — providence. 'Formed His creatures by a word' (Ps 33:6; Heb 11:3). 'Pronounced them good' (Gen 1:31). Creation's goodness is a Christian conviction against every view that matter is evil.
- Scripture
- Ps 145:15-16, Ps 104:27-28, Ps 33:6, Heb 11:3, Gen 1:31
- Imagery & language
- Food; word; goodness.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology — goodness.
- Connection to previous
- Goodness.
Lord, your wonders are visible wherever we look, on the ground we walk or in the sky we gaze at.
Ps 19:1; Rom 1:20 — creation reveals God's power and divinity. A child's way of saying that everything points to the Creator.
- Scripture
- Ps 19:1, Rom 1:20, Ps 8:3-4
- Imagery & language
- Ground and skies.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Wonders.
Every plant and flower shows your glory; clouds rise and storms blow by order from your throne.
Matt 6:28-30 (the lilies). Weather is under God's command (Ps 148:8, 'stormy wind fulfilling his word'; Job 37:6-13). Providence governs even what seems random.
- Scripture
- Matt 6:28-30, Ps 148:8, Job 37:6-13
- Imagery & language
- Plants, flowers, clouds, tempests.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology — providence.
- Connection to previous
- Plants and weather.
We depend on you every moment; if you withdraw, we die; may we never offend the God who is always near.
Acts 17:25, 28 ('in him we live and move and have our being'); Ps 104:29 ('when you take away their breath, they die'). Col 1:17 — all things hold together in Christ. 'Who is forever nigh' (Ps 139:7-12). The closing prayer adds the First Commandment's fear of God: not to offend him.
- Scripture
- Acts 17:25, 28, Ps 104:29, Col 1:17, Ps 139:7-12
- Imagery & language
- Moment-by-moment dependence.
- Law / Gospel
- First Article; Law (do not offend).
- Connection to previous
- Dependence.
Themes
God's power and majesty Creation and providence God's sovereignty Praise and worship