Praise my soul the King of Heaven

1.    PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN –

 EMHB 12;  YMHB 9

Tune: Regent Square

Author: Henry Francis Lyte

Presenter: Sis. M. W. Oladele

The Hymn “Praise my soul The King of Heaven” was first published in 1834 amongst a collection of three hundred hymns entitled “Spirit of the Psalms” unlike translations of the Psalms commonly used in Psalters of that time or paraphrases like those written by Isaac Watts “Spirit of the Psalms”  contained hymns that were simply inspired by the Psalms.

This Hymn is one of the most successful paraphrases of the Psalms. You may find it more jubilant than usually the case with its renderings. The entire text in particular captures the spirit of Psalm 103 and writer succinctly states each of the Psalm’s points – “we sing praises to The King who redeems us” also a number of memorable lines. “Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven” as in stanza one. We praise Him for His grace and favour for God is steadfast in His love and he declares “slow to chide and swift to bless” stanza two. The recite in stanza three refers to the Lord’s compassion on those who fear Him (Psalm 103:13-14) while stanza four acknowledges that angels and all creatures, even the sun and moon bow down before Him.

In his refrain, the author picked up on the primary theme of the Psalm: Praise Him, Praise Him. Today, some hymnals have changed these words to “Alleluia” But either refrain fittingly calls us to join with all creation in praise of the King.

This Hymn was written by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) for his congregation at Lower Bixham in Devon, England. He was born in Kelso, Scotland and was a Scottish Anglican. His father, Thomas Lyte deserted the family of wife and two sons.

His mother Ann then moved with him and his brother to London where she and the younger son soon died. Because of Henry’s abilities, he was effectively adopted by the Headmaster at Portora, Dr. Robert Burrowes, who paid his fees through school.

He graduated at Trinity College Dublin where he won many prices as a gifted and erudite poet. He took Anglican Holy Orders in 1815 and in 1817, he was a curate in Cornwall but because of his bad health he moved to England in 1823. He settled in the Parish of Lower Bixham in Devon where he helped to educate Lord Salisbury, Late British Prime Minister.

Lyte wrote much religious poetry including his most famous hymns while in Brixhama. Three of his best known hymns are “Praise my soul the King of Heaven; God of mercy, God of grace, pleasant are thy courts above”. He also wrote “Abide with me” after watching the sun set over Turbary, and died two weeks later in Nice in South of France.

Queen Elizabeth II chose this Hymn to be sung as the processional at her weeding on November 20, 1947. Interestingly, this was exactly one hundred years after the death of Henry Francis Lyte.

Beloved in Christ, shall we together commence this glorious service with this Hymn of Praise:

EMHB 12

1.    Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,

To His feet thy tribute bring;

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Who like thee His praise should sing?

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise the everlasting King.

2.    Praise Him for His grace and favour

To our fathers in distress;

Praise Him, still the same for ever,

Slow to chide and swift to bless:

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Glorious in His faithfulness.

3.    Father-like He tends and spares us;

Well our feeble frame He knows;

In His hands He gently bears us,

Rescues us from all our foes;

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Widely as His mercy flows.

4.    Angels in the height, adore Him;

Ye behold Him face to face;

Sun and moon, bow down before Him:

Dwellers all in time and space,

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise with us the God of grace.

YMHB 9

1.    Okan mi, yin Oba orun,

M’ ore re wa s’ odo Re;

‘Wo t’a wosan t’a dariji,

Tal’ o ba ha yin bi Re?

Yin Oluwa,

Yin Oba ainipekun.

2.    Yin fun anu Re si awon

Baba wa, n’nu ‘ponju won;

Yin I, okanna ni titi,

O lora lati binu;

Yin Oluwa,

Ologo n’nu otito.

3.    Bi baba li O ntoju wa,

O si mo ailera wa;

Jeje l’ O ngbe wa l’ apa Re,

O ngba wa lowo ota;

Yin Oluwa,

Anu Re yi aiye ka.

4.    Enyin angel’, e juba Re;

Enyin nri lojukoju;

Orun, osupa, e wole,

Ati gbogbo agbaiye,

E ba wa yin

Olorun Olor’-ofe.

Adesegun Akitoye

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