Choir Tour Devo - Praise Ye the Lord
Many of you may be familiar with the song "Praise ye the Lord," and could probably sing the beginning if not most of the words. But, did you know the song dates all the way back to the Renaissance period, to the time of Martin Luther?
"Praise ye the Lord"
was written in Germany by a Reformed minister named Joachim Neander. Joachim Neander was the grandson of a musician and son of a teacher. His last name came from the word “new man” and his first name after his grandfather (also a preacher, and also named Joachim!).
"Neanderthal Man:" For a period Neander was a primary school teacher. In his spare time he would walk through the Dussel River valley writing hymns. The valley was later named after him (Neander Valley or in German - Neanderthal). Because of his visits to the valley to write hymns Joachim was called the "Neanderthal Man."
"Stralsund Gesangbuch"
The song "Praise ye the Lord" was soon published in the German hymn book - Stralsund Gesangbuch during the same Renaissance period.
Why does this matter?
The Renaissance period was a time of rebirth - Martin Luther is most famous for helping the church move from legalism and giving it back to the common people by writing song the people could sing themselves rather than making them listening to the monks sing in Latin. A few of Luther's most famous hymns include "A Mighty Fortress" and "Silent Night." Neander, like Luther wrote for the people. What an amazing history this song carries.
But what does it say...
It is a song of praise. I love that only two centuries later "Praise ye the Lord" was translated into English by a female named Catherine Winkworth so that we can now sing it in English. It would sound very different in German. Then, not that long ago Ottis Skillings added a jazz feel to the song including a guitar for the version we will sing.
It's amazing that a song written for rebirth and reform 4 centuries ago can still carry the same message of praise. It just proves that praising God is something we always need to be reminded to do and something we can and will always need to do.
How can you praise God using this song? Write your thoughts below
"Praise ye the Lord"
was written in Germany by a Reformed minister named Joachim Neander. Joachim Neander was the grandson of a musician and son of a teacher. His last name came from the word “new man” and his first name after his grandfather (also a preacher, and also named Joachim!).
"Neanderthal Man:" For a period Neander was a primary school teacher. In his spare time he would walk through the Dussel River valley writing hymns. The valley was later named after him (Neander Valley or in German - Neanderthal). Because of his visits to the valley to write hymns Joachim was called the "Neanderthal Man."
"Stralsund Gesangbuch"
The song "Praise ye the Lord" was soon published in the German hymn book - Stralsund Gesangbuch during the same Renaissance period.
Why does this matter?
The Renaissance period was a time of rebirth - Martin Luther is most famous for helping the church move from legalism and giving it back to the common people by writing song the people could sing themselves rather than making them listening to the monks sing in Latin. A few of Luther's most famous hymns include "A Mighty Fortress" and "Silent Night." Neander, like Luther wrote for the people. What an amazing history this song carries.
But what does it say...
It is a song of praise. I love that only two centuries later "Praise ye the Lord" was translated into English by a female named Catherine Winkworth so that we can now sing it in English. It would sound very different in German. Then, not that long ago Ottis Skillings added a jazz feel to the song including a guitar for the version we will sing.
It's amazing that a song written for rebirth and reform 4 centuries ago can still carry the same message of praise. It just proves that praising God is something we always need to be reminded to do and something we can and will always need to do.
How can you praise God using this song? Write your thoughts below
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