Praise the Lord! His Glories Show

“Praise the Lord! His Glories Show” is Henry Francis Lyte’s joyful metrical paraphrase of Psalm 148, with thematic connections also to Psalm 150. Written in the early nineteenth century, the hymn reflects Lyte’s deep love for the Psalms and his desire to place biblical praise naturally on the lips of the congregation. Rather than offering personal reflection, the hymn serves as a call to universal worship, echoing the psalmist’s summons for all creation to glorify the Lord.

The hymn opens with a clear and commanding invitation to praise, directed first to the heavenly realms. Angels, hosts, sun, moon, and stars are called to magnify the Creator who spoke them into being. Lyte faithfully follows the biblical pattern by grounding praise in God’s creative power. The heavens are not praised for their beauty alone, but because they exist by the word and decree of the Lord, whose authority is everlasting.

As the hymn progresses, the call to praise descends from heaven to earth. Kings and rulers, young and old, men and women alike are summoned to join the song. This movement emphasizes the universality of worship, showing that no rank, age, or condition exempts anyone from the duty and privilege of praising God. Lyte’s language reinforces the biblical truth that the Lord’s name alone is exalted, far above all earthly honor and human achievement.

A central theological emphasis of the hymn is God’s covenant care for His people. Drawing from the closing verses of Psalm 148, Lyte highlights that the Lord not only reigns in majesty but also lifts up the horn of His people. This image speaks of strength, salvation, and nearness, reminding worshipers that the God who commands the cosmos also dwells in gracious relationship with those who fear Him.

“Praise the Lord! His Glories Show” remains a strong and enduring hymn of praise because of its faithful scriptural foundation and its expansive vision of worship. It trains the Church to praise God not merely in moments of emotion, but in conscious obedience to Scripture, joining heaven and earth in declaring the glory of the Lord whose name alone is excellent.