1. Sing Praise to God who reigns above, The God of all creation, The God of pow'r, the God of love, The God of our salvation; With healing balm my soul He fills, Ev'ry faithless murmur stills: To God all praise and glory! 2. What God's almighty pow'r hath made His gracious mercy keepeth, By morning glow 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! 3. The Lord is never far away, But thro' all grief distressing, An ever present help and stay, Our peace and joy and blessing; As with a mother's tender Hand He leads His own, His chosen band: To God all praise and glory! 4. Thus all my toilsome way along I sing aloud His 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!
Lyrics: Johann Jakob Schütz
Music: Bohemian Brethren's "Kirchengesänge...", 1566
Tune: MIT FREUDEN ZART
Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7.
Johann J. Schutz, 1640–1690
Translated by Frances E. Cox, 1812–1897
In the 17th century, there was an important renewal movement within the Lutheran Church known as Pietism. The leader of this spiritual movement was a Lutheran pastor in Frankfurt, Germany, Philip J. Spener (1635–1705). Mainly through small cell prayer and Bible study groups, he sought to influence nominal church people who had become accustomed to the dead orthodoxy that had overtaken the church. Spener taught them the meaning of inner personal faith in Christ and the demands that such faith makes upon the believer for holy Christian living.
One of the important characteristics of the 17th century Pietistic Movement was the involvement of laymen in the church. Many of the hymn writers and important voices in the church at this time were the lay people from all walks of life. Such was the case with Johann J. Schutz, an authority in civil and canon law, living in Frankfurt, Germany. He was closely allied with Philip Spener and the practice of the Pietists in establishing small cell groups within the church. Schutz wrote a number of religious publications as well as five hymns. This is his only hymn still in use.