HoMY 59: Praise Him, Praise Him

Seems I’ve been at this weekly series for quite a while now. There were a lot more hymns in my youth than I had realized… I haven’t run out yet! This week’s addition to the series, Then Sings My Soul: The Hymns of My Youth is “Praise Him, Praise Him.” The hymn was composed by Fanny Crosby and published in 1869, with music by Chester Allen.

My recollections of this song is that it was one of the more upbeat, even boisterous hymns that we would sing. The verses represent a bit of a tongue-twister when matched with the tempo, since it was always a bit of a trick to get all the words out properly. “Highest archangels in glory” was the particular part, following the tune at that pace and spitting out each syllable. “Suffered and bled and died” wasn’t nearly as tricky once you’d accomplished verse one, of course. Well. You were warmed up for “Tell of his excellent greatness,” at least. Given all that, by the time you hit the end and coasted through “Ever in joyful song,” you needed a break before hitting the next verse from the top.

Of this hymn, my memories are somewhat fond… it represents joy as well as praise, and even thanksgiving. Even reading the lyrics now, one can’t help feel at least a little uplifted.

Praise Him, Praise Him

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

Refrain

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.

Refrain