Give to Our God Immortal Praise

“Give to Our God Immortal Praise” is a classic hymn of thanksgiving written by Isaac Watts and first published in his 1719 work The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament. The hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 136, the great psalm of thanksgiving that repeatedly celebrates the enduring mercy of the Lord. Watts sought to bring the Psalms into language suitable for Christian worship, and this hymn reflects his desire to unite Old Testament praise with New Testament understanding.

The hymn opens with a strong call to worship, urging God’s people to offer praise that is fitting, continual, and heartfelt. Watts emphasizes the everlasting mercy of God as the central reason for thanksgiving. Just as Psalm 136 recounts God’s mighty acts in creation and redemption, the hymn directs attention to God’s goodness displayed in His care for the world and His faithfulness to His people. Praise is presented not as a momentary response, but as a lifelong duty rooted in gratitude.

A key theme of the hymn is remembrance. Watts highlights God’s works in history as evidence of His unchanging character. The acts of provision, deliverance, and compassion described in the psalm are applied to the believer’s own experience of God’s grace. This encourages worshipers to look back with thankfulness and forward with confidence, trusting that the same God who has shown mercy before will continue to do so.

The tone of the hymn is joyful, confident, and reverent. Its language is well suited for congregational singing, especially in services focused on thanksgiving and praise. By grounding worship in the mighty acts of God, the hymn helps believers connect doctrine with devotion and memory with praise.

“Give to Our God Immortal Praise” has endured for centuries because it gives clear voice to a central biblical truth, that the mercy of the Lord endures forever. It continues to call the church to thankful worship, joyful remembrance, and confident trust in the faithful God who blesses His people in every generation.