Johann Jacob Schütz. 1640-1690. Hymn of Praise. I. Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name. _Ps._ xcvi. 8. 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 faithless murmur stills; To God all praise and glory! The angel host, O King of kings, Thy praise for ever 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 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! I cried to God in my distress— In mercy hear my calling— My Saviour saw my helplessness, And kept my feet from falling; For this, Lord, thanks and praise to Thee! Praise God, I say, praise God with me! To God all praise and glory! The Lord is never far away, Throughout 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! 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 hearts afraid; To God all praise and glory! Then all my gladsome way along, I 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 name 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! Lobgesang. II. Danket dem Herrn, denn Er ist freundlich: Und feine Güte währet ewiglich. Nun danket alle Gott Mit Herzen, Mund und Händen, Der grosse Dinge thut An uns und allen Enden; Der uns von Mutterleib Und Kindesbeinen an Unzählig viel zu gut Und noch jetzund gethan. Der ewig reiche Gott Woll uns bei unserm Leben Ein immer fröhlich Herz Und edlen Frieden geben, Und uns in seiner Gnad Erhalten fort und fort, Ja uns aus aller Noth Erlösen hier und dort. Lob, Ehr und Preis sei Gott, Dem Vater und dem Sohne, Und Dem der beiden gleich, Im höchsten Himmelsthrone: Dem dreimaleinen Gott, Als Der ursprünglich war Und ist und bleiben wird Jetzund und immerdar.