Sing Praise to the Lord - Part IV

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” ~Psalm 30:4

This week we begin our service of worship with the hymn “Holy God, We Praise Your Name” (103). While the lyrics of this particular hymn are attributed to 18th century German priest Ignaz Franz, its roots trace back to the 4th century. The first record we have of a hymn like this — in the genre of Te Deum laudamas (Thee, O God, we praise) — comes from the Bishop of Milan, the venerable Ambrose, in AD 387. Interestingly, Ambrose of Milan is considered to be the man who led Saint Augustine to the Christian faith. Consider for a moment that when we sing this song, we are joining our voices with over 1600 years of saints who have sung songs just like this one, including Ambrose and Augustine!

Three things I want us to notice from this hymn as we prepare our hearts for worship: First, let’s pause to consider the words of verse one, where the hymn writer declares that God’s sovereign rule and reign extend over all creation — both in heaven above and on earth below — and throughout all time.  The hymn says, “All on earth your scepter claim, all in heav’n above adore you. Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign.”  In other words, God’s Lordship is every-where and every-when. As we come to worship this Lord’s Day, remember that we “bow before” the God of all time and space.

Second, verses two and three together remind us that our worship is offered in harmonious fellowship with the whole domain of God’s rule (both where and when). We come alongside the angels in heaven, the prophets of old, the apostles of Jesus Christ, and martyrs from across the globe. Indeed, the whole Church through the ages joins with us, and we with them, in praise of God’s holy name.

Finally, verse four is explicitly trinitarian (“Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, Three we name you…”). This is a “mystery” indeed, but one that has been believed by Christians throughout the history of the church. It might be helpful to read over The Nicene Creed in preparation for singing this hymn, as the words of verse four could well be taken directly from it (“in essence only one, undivided God we claim you…”).

As you prepare to sing to the Lord this upcoming Sabbath, imagine what it will be like to stand before the throne of this awesome Trinity, surrounded by Christians from every nation and every age, joining our voices with the angels in perpetual worship. Will the whole of heaven be able to contain our exultant praises? We’ll have to wait till we get there to find out, but according to verse two, the “unceasing chorus praising” will seek to “fill the heav’ns with sweet accord,” singing “holy, holy, holy Lord.”

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Associate Pastor