1 What joy it is to praise our God
with instruments and voice,
and name the countless reasons that
God gives us to rejoice,
yet some find other ways to show
a grateful, loving heart.
Thanksgiving is their way of life,
and praise is just the start.
2 A statesman gladly hammers out
his praise in building homes;
a mission mother cares for those
who thought they’d die alone.
A preacher leads a freedom march,
a lawyer aids a child;
a bishop helps men face the truth
and all are reconciled.
3 God, in the best and worst of times,
you bless us many ways.
Give us a sense of gratitude
that goes beyond mere praise.
Like faithful leaders that we know,
may we each find a role
where we can share love’s healing balm
and make the wounded whole.
Mary Nelson Keithahn, a retired United Church of Christ ordained pastor and church educator, has been a curriculum writer-editor, journalist, and lyricist for musical dramas and anthems. She still works out of her home in Rapid City, South Dakota, as a free-lance writer. In 2016 she published Elfie: Adventures on the Midwest Frontier, a chapter book for children, and Embracing the Light: Reflectioins on God’s Holy Word, a collection of meditations for individual or small group use. Augsburg Fortress also published Sing the Stories of God’s NEW People, the third in a trilogy of Bible story-based collections of songs for young children, written with her longtime colleague, John D. Horman. The two have written over a hundred hymns togethe… Go to person page >
Display Title: What Joy It Is to Praise Our GodFirst Line: What joy it is to praise our GodTune Title: MODERN SAINTSAuthor: Mary Nelson KeithahnMeter: CMDScripture: Ephesians 4:11-13Date: 2017Subject: Ministry | ; Praise |
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running.
Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro
to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.