Sing praise to god who reigns above
This is my 4th hymn setting, based on the text of Hymn #15 in the Presbyterian hymnal, by Johann J. Schütz (1640 - 1690), translation by Frances E. Cox (1812 - 1897)
Latest Version - 2025 performed by Cantabrillé
Original arrangement - 2020
This melody really obsessed me for several weeks, and I’m letting you in on my process!
The initial melodic & harmonic sketch was composed on 11/29/19, and appeared to be a super fit for the text of Hymn #15 (below) in the Presbyterian hymnal, by Johann J. Schütz (1640 - 1690), translation by Francis E. Cox (1812-1897), with exception of one phrase.
Below is the finished sketch, completed on 12/21/19. I completed the extra phrase before the final declaration, and am excited it works well as a nice harmonic bridge, before the final cadence - and astonishingly, it fits the spirit of the words just like it should (in my opinion)! The audio track below is a version that will be coming for solo voice and piano accompaniment.
October 2025 Update - More on my process. Having worked with Cantabrillé singing through the arrangement, I felt that the writing wasn't very good for voice, especially the jagged bass line. So I set out to write a simplified score, that would be more in line with traditional hymn writing, and church choir capabilities. I was so lucky to be able to work with my Cantabrillé colleagues, to shape the next "final" product, which completed on 3/30/25, and we recorded in rehearsal on 5/5/25, below. I am working on a video with the new arrangement, so it can be compared to the video version above.
Hymn #15 - Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above:
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 He fills, And every faithless murmur stills:
To God all praise and glory!
The God of power, the God of love, The God of our salvation;
With healing balm my soul He fills, And every faithless murmur stills:
To God all praise and glory!
2. What God's almighty power hath made, His gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning glow or evening shade, His watchful eye ne'er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might, Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!
By morning glow or evening shade, His watchful eye ne'er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might, Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!
3. The Lord is never far away, But, through all grief distressing,
An everpresent help and stay, Our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother's tender hand, He leads His own, His chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!
An everpresent help and stay, Our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother's tender hand, He leads His own, His chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!
4. Thus, all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That men 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!
That men 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!
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