Our Hymn of Grateful Praise

Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise

This refrain anchors the song in the Thanksgiving season. After each verse reminds us of another instance of God’s goodness, the refrain reminds us that grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. We are thankful for Him and we are thankful to Him.

Folliott Peirpoint’s original refrain was more fitting for a communion service than a Thanksgiving service.

Christ, our God, to Thee we raise,
This our Sacrifice of praise.

The Cambridge teacher and poet originally published the hymn in a collection of communion hymns. The “Sacrifice of praise” is a reference to Hebrews 13:15, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

A Litany of Praise
Each verse in this hymn enumerates another aspect of God’s grace. The first verse highlights His work as the creator and sustainer of all things. We only need to look to nature to see His love for us.

God is also the King of the Ages, the sovereign over every nation from past to present. He rules both the day and the night and we can trust Him with every moment.

In the garden, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” He designed families so that we would not have to be alone. Christ also sets His chosen ones in His Church where they can find fellowship and a family of believers.

The Church itself is a reason to be thankful this season. I’m sure that there are many examples that come to mind of the faithful teaching and discipleship ministries of our local Church. The Church also provides opportunity for corporate worship and prayer and serves as a home base for all kinds of ministries in the community and around the world.

And for Christ, Himself, we are also thankful. It is through His sacrifice that we have forgiveness for our sins. We read in Galatians 4:4-5 that, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,  so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” And the Angels that announced Christ’s birth gave glory to God in the highest and proclaimed peace on Earth among men with whom He is pleased.

Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” Consider singing this song as a part of your Thanksgiving celebration this year.

This is the arrangement that the choir sang…
Keveren – SATB Sheet Music – For the Beauty of the Earth

Rutter has a good arrangement also…
Rutter – SATB Sheet Music- For the Beauty
CD – City Of London Sinfonia and The Cambridge Singers