Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven

Henry Francis Lyte wrote "Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven" for his congregation at Lower Brixham in Devon, England. The hymn was first published in 1834, among a collection of three hundred hymns entitled "Spirit of the Psalms."

Unlike translations of the Psalms-commonly used in Psalters of that time-or paraphrases like those written by Isaac Watts, "Spirit of the Psalms" contained hymns that were simply inspired by the Psalms. A part of this collection, "Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven" captured the "spirit" of Psalm 103.

In the hymn, Lyte succinctly states each of the psalm's points: "Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies" (v. 3-4) become "ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven." And enlarging on the palmist's declaration that God is slow to anger and will not always chide (v. 8-9), Lyte declares, "Slow to chide and swift to bless."

In his refrain, Lyte picked up on the primary theme of the Psalm: "Praise Him, praise him." Today, some hymnals have changed these words to "Alleluia!" But either refrain fittingly calls us to join with all creation in praise of the King.

Queen Elizabeth II chose this hymn to be sung as the processional at her wedding. Interestingly, this was on November 20, 1947, exactly one hundred years after the death of Henry Francis Lyte.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• praise
• soul
• king
• heaven
• hymn
• god
• religious
• christian
• traditional
• inspirational
• qvt
• howden
• choir
• church
• english
• tvnorth

[daveindurham2701]

you'll be surprised to hear that some of us younger folks like this stuff better too. I find the contemporary stuff poppy and hollow. This is REAL music

[thebigJM92]

I am 17 and an anglican. I much prefer these old hymns. This is a good one but my favourite is Eternal Father Strong to Save. This modern guitar music has no soul, this is timeless beauty

[march131958]

@thebigJM92 ,

 Thank You. I must say I never cared for piano too much. My family is from a "litter" of musicians. Organists,pianos and voice. I took piano when I was 6 or 7 and liked organ better. So,I have been playing for longer than I want to say! Playing is relaxing for me. I do have a very nice Rodgers pipe organ in my home which I am glad to have. You can do it. Organ is not that complicated. It will give you an inner peace.

[thebigJM92]

@march131958 That's amazing! I've always admired organists, I can't even produce a decent tune on a piano never mind the more complicated organ. You have my respect.

[march131958]

@thebigJM92 , I enjoy the older hymns as well. I, being a former organist, love the choir and organ.

[goodchappy]

@thebigJM92 I agree, I really don't like much of the modern chorus, harmony deprived tunes that the apparently up and coming churches use. That type of music actually makes me not want to go to church. When I see it on TV, I look in amazement at how anyone can be enjoying the music, they may enjoy the uplifting experience of singing but the tunes and the harmony are SO boring and forgettable.

I don't mind a drum beat if it fits the tune but what ever happened to decent melodies like this one?

[MatthewPWoods]

I'm having this at my wedding- one of the great Anglican hymns and a part of England's rich religious and cultural heritage.

I don't know what the obsession with bongo drums and guitars is with some churches- give me this any day (and I'm 28, not 98)

[yenditj]

@daveindurham2701 I want to like this a million times... You are so right...

[thebigJM92]

@Forsinard10 Ah Thine be the Glory! A simply awe inspiring hymn! I shall have to listen to it now!

[Forsinard10]

@thebigJM92

I agree with you. I attended worships in the Church of Ireland and then in the Episcopal Church in Scotland and I am surprised that there are, particularly in small town parishes, dedicated ministers and musicians who continue singing classic masterpieces to praise the Lord. They are very professional and pay attention to the details in their performance. Sunday services are really enriched. One of my favourite hymns is Thine be the Glory by G.F. Haendel.

[redneckmarine87]

@daveindurham2701 Amen to that!

[gillyrosh]

One of my favorite hymns. Thank you for posting!