Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

By Johann Jakob Schütz

Lyrics

1. Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled
and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

2. The Lord is never far away,
but through all grief distressing,
an ever present help and stay,
our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother's tender hand,
God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

3. Thus all my toilsome way along,
I sing aloud thy praises,
that earth may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart,
both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

4. Let all who name Christ's holy name
give God all praise and glory;
let all who own his power proclaim
aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne,
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.

Bible Reference

Psalm 97:1,6

About This Hymn

Author: Johann J. Schütz (1640–1690)
English Translation: Frances E. Cox (1812–1897)
Music: From the Kirchengesänge of the Bohemian Brethren, 1566
Tune Name: "Mit Freuden Zart" ("With Great Delight")
Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7
Scripture Reference: Psalm 97:1,6 – "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!... The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory."

This powerful hymn has its roots in the spiritual upheavals of the 16th and 17th centuries—a time when faith, conflict, and renewal reshaped Christian worship. The Protestant Reformation, sparked by Martin Luther in 1517, transformed the religious landscape of Europe. Meanwhile, the legacy of Jan Hus, the Bohemian reformer martyred in 1415, lived on through the Moravian Brethren, known for their deep devotion and vibrant singing. Many fled persecution, seeking refuge in Germany as the Reformation spread.

The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) left Germany in ruins, with its population decimated. Yet amid the devastation, a spiritual hunger arose, leading to the Pietist movement—a call for heartfelt faith, personal devotion, and Bible study. Philipp Jakob Spener, a key figure in this revival, encouraged small groups (collegia pietatis) to nurture deeper Christian living.

From this movement came hymns that were more personal, emotional, and deeply expressive. Johann Jakob Schütz, a lawyer and lay leader in Frankfurt, was part of this wave. Though he wrote several hymns, only "Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above" has stood the test of time.

In the 19th century, Frances Cox, an Anglican translator, brought this hymn into English, introducing German hymnody to a wider audience. The melody, "Mit Freuden Zart," comes from a 1566 Moravian hymnal, its stately joy perfectly matching the hymn’s celebration of God’s reign.

Together, Schütz’s words, Cox’s translation, and the Bohemian tune create a hymn that bridges Reformation conviction, Pietist passion, and unshakable joy in God’s rule—a timeless call to worship.