A Joyful Heart & the Story of “All Praise to Thee, Eternal Lord”

The Story

“All Praise to Thee, Eternal Lord” might not be as familiar to us as other hymns, but its theology and longstanding history in the Church makes it perpetually important (and I put a link to listen to it below). This hymn was originally written in Latin by Gregory the Great in the sixth century. Martin Luther then translated it into German in 1535 during a time when he was translating the Bible, catechisms, and other hymns into German for the common people. Finally, it was translated into English in the 1800’s. I am so grateful God directed translations throughout Church history, so I can read His Word and sing historic words to Him in my own language.

Try to catch some of the beautiful theology in this hymn as you read it below.

The Song

All praise to Thee, Eternal Lord,
Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;
Choosing a manger for Thy throne,
While worlds on worlds are Thine alone.

Once did the skies before Thee bow;
A virgin’s arms contain Thee now,
While angels, who in Thee rejoice,
Now listen for Thine infant voice.

A little Child, Thou art our Guest,
That weary ones in Thee may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth;
That we may rise to heaven from earth.

Thou comest in the darksome night
To make us children of the light;
To make us, in the realms divine,
Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.

All this for us Thy love hath done;
By this to Thee our love is won;
For this we tune our cheerful lays,
And sing our thanks in ceaseless praise.

The Message

This hymn vividly captures Jesus’ incarnation for us. It shows us the wonder of Jesus–fully God and fully man–who came to save us. And it gives us specific truths to praise him for: his divine, eternal nature (John 1:1; Col 1:16-17), his virgin birth and humanity (Luke 1:35), and the rest (Heb 4:9-10; Eph 2:8-9), resurrection (John 14:3; John 6:40; 1 Cor 6:14), and light (1 Thess 5:5; Eph 5:8-10) he provides. And it testifies to his love (John 3:16). Finally, it calls us to “ceaseless praise” (1 Thess 5:18). For what else could we offer him for giving us his very life and all his blessings?

Further Bible Reading:

I put verses above so you can explore this topic further. I hope they help you understand Jesus’ humanity, divinity, and blessings in more depth as you have time.