Hymns of Hope and Comfort: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

During this time of fear and uncertainty in the COVID-19 wilderness, I’ve decided to do something a little different. I’m going to be daily using my blog to share texts and videos of hymns that pass along hope and comfort until the restrictions are lifted, and we can worship in our buildings once again. I hope you find them to be encouraging and edifying during this time.

Take care, everyone. Wash your hands. And keep the faith.

This is First Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas. They have a sizzling Aeolian-Skinner, and they’re not afraid to use it. That being said, I don’t care for what modern hymnals have done to this little gem of a hymn text. So first, I’ll post the text as it appears in FPC’s The Presbyterian Hymnal (1991), and then I’ll post the 8 stanzas that appeared in The Lutheran Hymnary in 1913.

Sing praise to God, who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation;
With healing balm my soul is filled,
And every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory!

What God’s almighty power hath made
God’s gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning glow or evening shade
God’s watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of God’s might,
Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!

The Lord is never far away,
But through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay,
Our peace and joy and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand,
God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!

Thus, all my gladsome way along,
I sing aloud Thy praises
That all may hear the grateful song
My voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart,
Both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory!

Now, for the cooler version…

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
The God of all creation;
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul He fills,
And every pain and sorrow stills:
To God all praise and glory!

The angel host, O King of kings,
Thy praise forever telling,
In earth and sky all living things
Beneath thy shadow dwelling,
Adore the wisdom which could span,
And power which formed, creation’s plan:
To God all praise and glory!

What God’s almighty power hath made,
His gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning dawn or evening shade,
His watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might,
Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!

I cried to God in my distress,
His mercy heard me calling;
My Savior saw my helplessness
And kept my feet from falling;
For this, Lord, praise and thanks to Thee!
Praise God most high, praise God with me!
To God all praise and glory!

The Lord is never far away,
Forsakes his people never;
He is their refuge and their stay,
Their peace and trust forever;
And with a mother’s watchful love
He guides them wheresoe’er thy rove;
To God all praise and glory!

When every earthly hope has flown
From sorrow’s sons and daughters,
Our Father from His heavenly throne
Beholds the troubled waters;
And at His word the storm is stayed
Which made His children’s heart afraid:
To God all praise and glory.

Thus all my pilgrimage along
I’ll sing aloud Thy praises,
That men may hear the grateful song
My voice unwearied raises:
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart!
Both soul and body, bear your part!
To God all praise and glory!

O ye who bear Christ’s holy name,
Give God all praise and glory!
All ye who own His power, proclaim
Aloud the wondrous story;
Cast each false idol from His throne,
The Lord is God, and He alone:
To God all praise and glory!

– Johann Jakob Schütz, 1675; trans. Frances Elizabeth Cox

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