Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

I watched Heidi (1937) this past weekend, with Shirley Temple as the title character. At one point in the picture, she goes to church with Grandfather, and they sing this hymn. Heidi is the first to rise out of respect during the hymn; as 20th century Lutherans, we also used to rise at the start of the fourth verse, out of respect for the Holy Trinity.

http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/250.mp3

"Holy God, We Praise Thy Name"
by Unknown Author, c. 1775
Translated by Clarence A. Walworth, 1820-1900

1. Holy God, we praise thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore Thee.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

2. Hark! the glad celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord!

3. Lo, the apostles' holy train
Join Thy sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain,
And the white-robed martyrs follow,
And from morn to set of sun
Through the Church the song goes on.

4. Holy Father, holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name Thee;
Though in essence only one,
Undivided God we claim Thee
And, adoring, bend the knee
While we own the mystery.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #250
Text: Luke 2:14, based on the Te Deum
Author: Unknown, c. 1775
Translated by: Clarence A. Walworth, 1853, alt.
Titled: "Grosser Gott, wir loben dich"
Tune: "Grosser Gott"
1st Published in: Allgemeines Gesangbuch
Town: Vienna, 1775

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