Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#144

144. All Praise to the LORD

Text Information

• First Line: All praise to the LORD who prepares me to fight
• Title: All Praise to the LORD
• Versifier: Helen Otte (1985)
• Meter: 11 11 11 11
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Deliverance; Warfare, Spiritual; Songs for Children: Psalms; Refuge; Thanksgiving & Gratitude
• Copyright: © 1987, CRC Publications
• CCLI Number: 4103709

Tune Information

• Name: ST. DENIO
• Meter: 11 11 11 11
• Key: G Major
• Source: Welsh, from Caniadau y Cyssegr, 1839

Text Information:

A prayer for God to deliver his people from all foreign oppression.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-4
st. 2 = vv. 5-8
st. 3 = vv. 9-11
st. 4 = vv. 12-15

Psalm 144 appears to be a composite. Because verses 1 through 10 clearly echo Psalm 18 (see also 2 Sam. 22), it seems that a prayer of David has been augmented for post-exilic Israel. (Note also the similarities between v. 3 and Ps. 8:4 and between v. 4 and Ps. 39:5, 11.) In the first part (w. 1-10) the psalmist praises the LORD for sustaining him (st. 1), appeals to God to burst forth from heaven in earthshaking power to deliver him from the treachery of his enemies (st. 2), and vows to praise the LORD for giving the victory (st. 3). Adding to this prayer, post-exilic Israel includes a vision of the blessedness God's people will enjoy when the redemption of David's kingdom is complete (st. 4). Helen Otte (PHH 17) versified this psalm in 1985 for the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
Easter; Ascension; whenever the church reflects on the final triumph of Christ's kingdom; whenever the church needs encouragement to persevere in the Christian pilgrimage.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

ST. DENIO is based on "Can mlynedd i nawr" ("A Hundred Years from Now"), a tradi¬tional Welsh ballad popular in the early nineteenth century. It was first published as a hymn tune in John Roberts's Caniadau y Cyssegr (Hymns of the Sanctuary, 1839). The tune title [may refer] to St. Denis, the patron saint of France, [or may refer to St. Deiniol, the patron saint of Bangor in Wales]

ST. DENIO is a sturdy tune in rounded bar form (AABA'); its bright character in a major key should put to rest the notion that all Welsh tunes are sad and in minor key. It bears vigorous performance with singing in harmony supported by solid organ tone. The final stanza is a jubilant profession of how God blesses–save the extra reeds and mixtures for it!

John Roberts (b. Tanrhiwfelen, Penllwyn, near Aberystwyth, Wales, 1822; d. Vron, Caernarvon, Wales, 1877) is also known by his Welsh name, Ieuan Gwyllt (Wild John) to distinguish him from many other John Roberts. He began conducting choirs at the age of fourteen and was a schoolteacher at sixteen. Ordained in the (Calvinist) Methodist ministry in 1859, he served congregations in Aberdare and Llanberis. In 1859 he also founded the Welsh singing festival "Gymanfa ganu" and compiled the important Calvinist Methodist hymnal Llyfr Tonau CynulleidfaolPHH 73) hymnal, Swn y Iiwvili (1874).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988; notes added by Dianne Shapiro (see "Glory to God: a companion" by Carl Daw)