Sing Praise to the Lord

“Sing Praise to the Lord!” is a joyful hymn of thanksgiving and adoration that reflects the deep devotional spirit of nineteenth century Anglican hymnody. Written by Henry Williams Baker and first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1861, the hymn calls God’s people to wholehearted praise for His goodness, faithfulness, and sustaining care. Baker, who played a central role in shaping English hymnody, consistently sought to unite strong biblical theology with clear and reverent language suitable for congregational worship.

The hymn draws heavily on the language and themes of the Psalms, especially the repeated biblical exhortation for the soul to bless the Lord. Praise is presented not as a mere emotion, but as a conscious act of obedience and gratitude flowing from remembrance of God’s works. The singer is urged to recall the Lord’s mercy, protection, and daily provision, echoing the psalmist’s pattern of rehearsing God’s benefits as a foundation for worship.

A notable strength of the hymn is its balance between personal devotion and corporate praise. While the language addresses the individual soul, it naturally leads into the gathered worship of the church, joining many voices in a shared confession of God’s greatness. This reflects Baker’s pastoral concern that hymn singing should form both personal piety and communal faith.

Theologically, the hymn centers on God as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, directing all praise to Him alone. It avoids sentimentality by grounding worship in truth, reminding believers that praise arises from who God is and what He has done, rather than from changing circumstances.

“Sing Praise to the Lord!” continues to be valued as a simple yet rich hymn of doxology. Its clear biblical foundation and reverent tone make it suitable for a wide range of worship settings, encouraging believers in every generation to lift their voices in grateful praise to the Lord who is worthy of all honor and glory.