HYMNS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS  

LET ALL TOGETHER PRAISE OUR GOD 

Let All Together Praise our God is another lesser-known Christmas hymn. The words and music for this hymn were produced by Herman Nicolaus in the mining town of Joachimsthal in Bohemia. He was the Master in the Latin school, Cantor, Organist and Choirmaster in the towns church until he had to resign due to poor health. He wrote almost 200 hymns, but most of them were for the children in the Latin School to sing.   

In seven hymn verses Nicolaus tells the story of Jesus coming to earth as the Savior of the human race. In this one hymn he proclaims Jesus becoming a true human being, calling this act “a great exchange.” He emphasized Jesus’ servant role and great love for us sinners.   

Verse 6 (LSB) captures the words of Jesus recorded in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life. No once comes to the Father, but by Me.” Nicolaus wrote in that verse, “He is the key and He the door To blessed paradise; The angel bars the way no more. To God our praises rise, To God our praises rise.” 

The hymn is a hymn of praise. Praising God is a vital part of our faith. It’s not just about singing songs in church or saying thank you during our prayers; it’s a heartfelt expression of gratitude and love. What better for you to use than the verses of this hymn to witness to the world the dept of God’s love and the saving work of His Son. Nicolaus wrote:

Let all together praise our God
Before His glorious throne;
Today He opens heav’n again
To give us His own Son,
To give us His own Son.

He leaves His heav’nly Father’s throne,
Is born an infant small,
And in a manger, poor and lone,
Lies in a humble stall,
Lies in a humble stall.

Within an earthborn form He hides
His all-creating light;
To serve us all He humbly cloaks
The splendor of His might,
The splendor of His might.

He undertakes a great exchange,
Puts on our human frame,
And in return gives us His realm,
His glory, and His name,
His glory, and His name.

He is a servant, I a lord:
How great a mystery!
How strong the tender Christ Child’s love!
No truer friend than He,
No truer friend than He.

He is the key and He the door
To blessèd paradise;
The angel bars the way no more.
To God our praises rise,
To God our praises rise.

Your grace in lowliness revealed,
Lord Jesus, we adore
And praise to God the Father yield
And Spirit evermore;
We praise You evermore.

Text (sts. 1, 3–7): © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198
Text (st. 2): Public domain

Let All Together Praise Our God // LSB 389