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1 Praise to the Lord

Our Hymn of Praise today is the first hymn in our hymnals: the much-loved Praise to the Lord. Joachim Neander wrote the words in 1680, basing them on Psalm 103:1-6 and Psalm 150. Neander himself adapted the tune from a secular song from the east German Baltic rim.

It is named LOBE DEN HERREN, which is simply German for Praise to the Lord, the title and opening phrase.

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 ye in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, Who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shieldeth thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er 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.