← Previous · Home · Next →

Hymns of My Youth: Praise Ye the Father

Today’s hymn, like last week’s, is another that I don’t believe I have ever sung in a worship service. I suspect the tune, Integer Vitae, was judged to ponderous for congregational singing. If so, I would disagree strenuously. I think I learned this hymn when I sang it with a Bible camp choir one summer. It is a beautiful song of Trinitarian praise, and one that certainly ought to be sung for Lord’s Day worship.

17 Praise Ye the Father

Praise ye the Father for His lovingkindness;
Tenderly cares He for His erring children;
Praise Him, ye angels, praise Him in the heavens,
Praise ye Jehovah.

Praise ye the Savior, great is His compassion;
Graciously cares He for His chosen people;
Young men and maidens, ye old men and children,
Praise ye the Savior.

Praise ye the Spirit, Comforter of Israel,
Sent of the Father and the Son to bless us,
Praise ye the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Praise ye the Triune God.

—The Concordia Hymnal (Augsburg Publishing House), 1960.

The following video may not be of the highest professional quality, but it appeals to me for two reasons: the small church setting is exactly as I would have experienced it, and the harmonica accompaniment is something I’ve never seen in any church before. I like it.