Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,

The Psalm 103:1-6 said, Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”

These verses were the inspiration to Joachim Neander (1650) to write the famous hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”  This hymn of praise uses different psalms and it is one the most popular hymns to open a worship service.  First written in five stanzas in German and published in 1680 by Joachim Neander, the first three verses of the original text were translated in 1863 by Catherine Winkworth. The fourth and fifth verses were translated anonymously. Modern hymnals contain anywhere from 3-5 verses, usually choosing to omit the original 3rd stanza: “Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously, made you.”

The goal of this hymn is to present every image of God; according to this hymn He is a creator, sovereign, defender and befriender, refuge, and protector.

Normally when we read a hymn in an article (like this one), we think about the melody and we forgot what the lyrics said; therefore I asking you to take few minutes and read this hymn without singing it, and use it as a prayer before the Lord, I know it will impact your life.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,
join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.

In His service,

Israel

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