The author of “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty,” Joachim Neander, was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1650. In his early years, he lived a lusty, immoral life. Then he and a group of friends decided to attend a service conducted by a visiting preacher, Pastor Under-Eyke, and Neander was quickly converted. Philipp Jakob Spener, a Pietist, who aimed to revitalise the Lutheran church because, in his opinion, it had grown stale and lifeless, then had an impact on him. The Pietists emphasised individual piety and instituted small groups for prayer, scripture study, personal accountability, and good works. They believed that trust in Christ rather than correct theology constituted the core of the faith. This de-emphasis on theology brought the Pietists into conflict with the more traditional Lutherans.
In his mid-20s, Neander became director of the Latin School of Dusseldorf, where he served for several years. He experienced considerable opposition there because of his pietism and was eventually dismissed from that position. He then suffered declining health and died at age 30.
SPROUTING UNDER STRESS
Neander’s life was tragic in the classic sense—a life of great potential cut short by an untimely death. However, he wrote 60 hymns—most during his tenure at the Latin School. Most are hymns of joyful praise, even though they were written at a time when Neander was living under considerable stress.
Several of his hymns can be found in hymnals today, having inspired Christians around the world for more than three centuries. Few of us, regardless of longevity, can hope to have a legacy as enduring. It seems fair to say that God made more of Neander’s life than Neander could ever have expected.
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” is based on Psalms 103 and 150. Along with those psalms, Neander’s walks through the German countryside were also a source of inspiration for the song due to the beauty of the hills and rivers.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Catherine Winkworth, who translated this and a number of other German hymns during the 19th century. But for her efforts, we would know nothing of Neander or his hymns today.
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty
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.
Source: Sermonwriter.com
