Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#630

630. Now Blessed Be the Lord Our God

1 Now blessed be the Lord our God,
the God of Israel,
for he alone does wondrous works:
his glorious deeds excel;
for he alone does wondrous works:
his glorious deeds excel.

2 And blessed be his glorious name
through all eternity;
the whole earth let his glory fill:
Amen! so shall it be;
the whole earth let his glory fill:
Amen! so shall it be.

Text Information

• First Line: Now blessed be the Lord our God
• Title: Now Blessed Be the Lord Our God
• Meter: 86 86 86
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 72:18-19
• Topic: Doxologies; Responses; Songs for Children: Hymns
• Source: Scottish Psalter, 1650; alt.

Tune Information

• Name: CORONATION
• Composer: Oliver Holden (1793)
• Meter: 86 86 86
• Key: G Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 72:18
st. 2 = Ps. 72:19

Each of the internal "books" or original anthologies within the book of Psalms concludes with its own doxology. Psalm 72, at the end of Book II, features a doxology at verses 18 and 19. That biblical text is paraphrased in this hymn, a paraphrase originally published in the 1650 edition of the Scottish Psalter. However, what was originally a standard four-line common-meter text has been stretched into common meter of six lines to suit the tune.

"Now Blessed Be" is cast in the berakah form common in Jewish worship. God is to be blessed, or praised, because of his wondrous works and mighty deeds (st. 1) and because his saving acts reveal his glory throughout the earth and throughout eternity (st. 2). Amen and Amen! So shall it be! (For further discussion of Psalm 72 see PHH 72.)

Liturgical Use:
As a doxology anytime, but because its basis is Psalm 72 (one of the finest messianic psalms), especially during Advent, Epiphany, and Ascension; missionary festivals.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

See PHH 471 for a discussion of CORONATION.

This doxology invites full voices with a vigorous accompaniment that grows in strength until the final "Amen."

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook