Composer: Ellen Koehler
Arrangement Samples - Click pdf link(s) below to view
Sheet Music Category:
Available Arrangements:
- Hymn
- Lead Sheet
- Keyboard
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Praise to the Lord,
The Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him,
For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord,
Who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,
Yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen
How all thy longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord,
Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy
Here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
Come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly, for aye we adore Him.
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly, for aye we adore Him!
Setting: Ellen Koehler. Copyright ©2013 Ellen Koehler. All Rights Reserved.
Words: Joachim Neander, 1680; transl. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863.
Hymn tune: Lobe den Herren, 1665.
Commentary -
“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
and He makes known to them His covenant.” – Psalm 25:14
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty is one of the classic hymns of the Church that is almost universally known and loved. Its soaring melody reflects the grateful expression of the soul that wells up in awe and thanksgiving to our Covenant God for His mighty acts, care and infinite goodness. The text contains obvious quotations of Psalms 103 and 150, with the rest of the lyrics filled with echoes of other psalms. That the hymn text is so richly filled with Scripture makes it a wonderful source for reflection and meditation. There are many characteristics of the Lord reflected in this hymn - Creator, Sovereign, Protector, Comforter, Friend, Sustainer, Provider. How many more do you see in the text?
This setting of Praise to the Lord, the Almighty begins with a traditionally styled introduction for keys (piano, organ or keyboard) that emphasizes the melody of the first phrase, “Praise to the Lord,” but with a few harmonic surprises before settling into the verses. Guitars, if you use them on this hymn setting, can come in lightly beginning at measure 5, or at measure 15 (with the singers). This setting lends itself well to layering in instruments, especially since the text itself builds in praise through the verses.
This hymn also contains wonderful opportunities for using the verses in different ways throughout a worship service. One option is to use the first three verses as the first (Gathering) hymn, repeating the last phrase as a tag (“Ponder anew …”), then singing the last verse at the end of the service as a strong statement of unity and joy. You may decide to use a verse as an introduction or response to confession or profession of faith. The entire hymn, or select verses, works very well within a worship set. Here are a few suggestions to pair with it: Bow Down (before the Lord); Friend of God; 10,000 Reasons.
Liturgical Uses:
Gathering, Invocation, Sending (see also above)
Key: D, with modulations to E and F.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty is available as a lead sheet and scored for keyboard (organ or piano can use this arrangement as well).
Copyright ©2016 Ellen Koehler. All Rights Reserved.
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