Let All Together Praise Our God

“Let All Together Praise Our God, Upon His Lofty Throne” is a Christmas hymn by the German Lutheran hymn writer and musician Nikolaus Herman, dating from 1560. The original German hymn is known as “Lobt Gott ihr Christen allzugleich.” The English translation represented here was made by Arthur T. Russell in 1851. Hymnary identifies the text as a hymn centered upon the coming of Christ, His incarnation, His humiliation, and the salvation accomplished through Him. The tune, LOBT GOTT IHR CHRISTEN, is also associated with Nikolaus Herman.

The hymn begins with a call for the whole congregation to praise God upon His lofty throne because He has opened heaven and given His Son. It then turns to the mystery of Christ's incarnation. The One who possesses divine majesty takes the form of a servant, though He is the One who made heaven and earth. This reflects the teaching of Philippians 2:7, where Christ is described in the KJV as having “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” The hymn therefore directs worship toward the humility of Christ and the great wonder of God giving His Son for humanity.

The third stanza describes this incarnation as a “wonderful exchange.” Christ assumes human flesh and blood, while believers are brought into the blessings of heaven. This theme points naturally to the gospel truth expressed in John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. The final stanza celebrates the opening of paradise and calls God's people to adore Him with praise. The hymn therefore combines Christmas celebration with profound Christian doctrine, proclaiming the incarnation of Christ, His humility, God's saving love, and the hope of heaven. It remains a strong hymn of praise because Christmas is presented not merely as the remembrance of Christ's birth, but as the revelation of God's gracious purpose in giving His Son.