We Praise Thee With Our Minds

“We Praise Thee With Our Minds” is a thoughtful and reverent hymn that emphasizes the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of Christian worship. Written by Hugh T. McElrath, the hymn reflects a biblical understanding that loving and worshiping God involves not only the heart and will, but also the disciplined use of the mind. It has been included in modern hymnals, particularly within Seventh-day Adventist worship, where it supports the integration of faith, study, and thoughtful devotion.

The hymn affirms that the mind is a gift from God and is to be used in His service. By calling believers to praise God with their thoughts, learning, and reflection, the text echoes Christ’s command to love God with all the mind. Worship is therefore presented as an active engagement with truth, Scripture, and godly understanding, not merely an emotional response.

A strong theme of the hymn is transformation. The renewing of the mind, as taught in Scripture, is central to faithful Christian living. McElrath’s text encourages believers to shape their thinking according to God’s Word, allowing divine truth to guide values, decisions, and conduct. In this way, intellectual growth and spiritual maturity are shown to be inseparable.

The hymn also connects personal devotion with communal worship and teaching. It implies that a church grounded in thoughtful praise will be better equipped to teach, witness, and serve. By valuing learning and reflection, the hymn supports a balanced Christian life in which study, worship, and service reinforce one another.

“We Praise Thee With Our Minds” continues to serve as a meaningful reminder that true worship involves the whole person. It calls believers to honor God through disciplined thinking, faithful study, and lives shaped by truth, offering praise that is thoughtful, obedient, and deeply rooted in Scripture.