A Hymn Most Wonderful - 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation'

In recent years, there have been no hymns that I have come into new acquaintance with that have excited such a spiritual furore within me as did Joachim Neander’s, ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.

 

This is by no means a new hymn, having been first published in 1680, and it is possible I sang this hymn as a child without taking much notice of the contents of the actual hymn itself. However, it was as a hymn chosen for me by the organist, to suit my chosen text, at a church I was visiting as a preacher, that I came into real contact with the hymn for the first time.

 

Joachim Neander, the author of this hymn, was born at Bremen, Germany, in 1650, passing away in 1680 at the tender age of 30. As a young man Joachim Neander was reportedly something of a trouble-maker. In 1670, as he, and two like-minded friends, visited a church service with the intentions of finding some rascal-esque amusement, Neander came under the earnest ministry of Theodore Under-Eyck. Under-Eyck’s preaching, and subsequent conversations, would prove to be the turning point in Neander’s life, as the now-former scoundrel became, instead, a devoted servant to his Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

As Neander tutored at the University of Heidelberg, he began to know and love the beauty of nature, which would later have a great impact on many of his hymns. He would later be appointed Rector of the Latin School at Dusseldorf. Now, Neander’s previous penchant for troublesome behaviour would be revisited, but this time for the cause of his Lord, as he sought to provide a ministry that promoted genuine belief in Jesus – as opposed to the nominal Christianity that was being championed by the then minister, Sylvester Lursen.

 

Neander’s "rebellious" behaviour led to him being temporarily suspended from his office, and it is believed that it was at this time, as he found consolation in communion with God and nature, and inspired by the beautifully scenery found in the valley through which flows the river Dussel, that Neander composed, ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation’.

 

Based loosely on portions of Psalms 103 and 150, this hymn rings with the praise of the Lord of creation, the Almighty, in whom all things consist, and who directs, guides and provides for His people, just as He continues to direct and ordain His providence throughout the natural world – but, for Christ’s people, with the addition of an unbreakable covenantal love to assure and comfort.

 

It was particularly the following words that would strike my own heart, and stoked a new-found expectant excitement within me:

 

“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

Who with His love doth befriend thee.”

 

As someone with a great passion for revival and the mighty workings of God, I had, over time, lost something of the hope that God may do such a work in my own locality of Wales (and beyond) in my own time – even as God is now doing great works in other countries. The last revival in Wales was in 1904-5; the last revival in the UK was the Hebridean Revival of 1949-1952 – never has there been such a long time passing without a revival of some significance somewhere in the UK since the 16th century Reformation! As well as small workings of grace (for which I am humbled with gratitude and awe) within my own ministry, if any at all, I had become spiritually weary and disheartened.

 

Neander’s hymn challenged me to “ponder anew what the Almighty can do”, with such pondering to be based upon the greatness of the Lord, and especially the greatness of His love. Can we maintain a high hope and expectation for what the Lord will do for His people? We can, and we must! His glorious love for us demands it!

"Let the Amen sound from His people again,

Gladly for aye we adore Him"!

 

We must also thank the outstandingly talented Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878) for her translation into English from the original German. Her translations were widely regarded for maintaining a sense of the poetic and theological, without compromising the original wordings and their meanings.

 

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation[1]

 

1.     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;

Praise Him in glad adoration.

 

2.     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.

 

3.     Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,

Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,

Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,

Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

 

4.     Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,

Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,

Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,

Saints with His mercy surrounding.

 

5.     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.

[1] *Text taken from Christian Hymns, No. 31 , (Bryntirion: Evangelical Movement of Wales, 1978).

*This post is part of series, based upon some of my favourite hymns: 'A Hymn Most Wonderful'

Other hymns can be found here: