November 18, 2005

Have faith in God –
His guiding light hold high;
Have faith in God –
His Word is ever nigh;
Have faith in God –
His truth will never die.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

Johann Jakob Schütz, 1640-1690
Translated by Francis Elizabeth Cox, 1812-1897

    The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Psalm 97:1.

    Following the Protestant Reformation, which was climaxed by Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses at the Cathedral of Wittenberg in 1517, Lutheranism became the dominant religious force in Germany and throughout much of Europe. In the 17th Century, there was an important renewal movement within the Lutheran Church known as Pietism. The leader of this spiritual movement was a Lutheran pastor in Frankfort, Germany, Philip J. Spener (1635-1705). Mainly through small cell prayer and Bible study groups, he sought to influence nominal church people who had become accustomed to the dead orthodoxy that had overtaken the church. Spener taught them the meaning of inner personal faith in Christ and the demands that such faith makes upon the believer for holy Christian living.
    One of the important characteristics of the 17th Century Pietistic Movement was the involvement of laymen in the church. Many of the hymn writers and important voices in the church at this time were the lay people from all walks of life. Such was the case with Johann J. Schutz, an authority in civil and canon law, living in Frankfort, Germany. He was closely allied with Philip Spener and the practice of the Pietists in establishing small groups of accountability within the larger church body. Schutz wrote a number of religious publications as well as five hymns. This is his only hymn still in use.
    As is true with any spiritual renewal, the Pietist Movement gave birth to a great revival of hymnody throughout Germany as well.

Sing praise to God Who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

What God’s almighty power hath made His gracious mercy keepeth,
By morning glow or evening shade His watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might, Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory.

The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay, our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother’s tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Thus, all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That earth may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

Let all who name Christ’s holy Name give God all praise and glory;
Let all who own His power proclaim aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne, for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission