Hymns of the Church: "Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good"

Abstract

"Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good" is undoubtedly one of the classic "Hymns of the Church." Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), Lutheran Service Book (LSB), Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW), and Lutheran Worship (LW) include the hymn (ELW 871, LSB 819, LBW 542, LW 452). Johann Jacob Schlitz (no relation, it seems, to Heinrich) wrote the text, "Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut," which was first published in the poet's 'Christliches Gedenckbüchlein' (Frankfurt 1675). The translation by Frances E. Cox was published in 1864 in both 'Lyra Eucharistica' and the second edition of Cox's own 'Hymns from the German'. If you think that the first line is an all-too-literal translation of the German, Cox's translation started with "Sing praise to God who reigns above" - not only more poetic, but also - I think - more pleasant to sing. (The change was apparently first made for LBW; the original version of Cox's version can be found in the online Cyber Hymnal at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/p/sptgowra.htm.) The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) and the Wisconsin Synod's Christian Worship (CW) also include the hymn (CW 236 and TLH 19), but use Catherine Winkworth's translation as the basis, "All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above."