*New Song* Praise My Soul the King of Heaven

We are introducing an older hymn but new song to the congregation this Sunday at our Worship Gathering.

Conveying the focus, truth and heart of Psalm 103, Henry Francis Lyte wrote “Praise my Soul the King of Heaven” in 1834.

The song reflects on the mighty and wondrous heart and character of God and how that leads us into a time of praise and worship for He is worthy of it as God, Creator and King

I think of Romans 12:1-2 when I sing verse 1…

Verse 1 Praise my soul the King of heaven To His feet thy tribute bring Ransomed healed restored forgiven Who like me His praise should sing Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise the everlasting King

Christ sacrificed himself for us and we are called by God's mercy to do the same. Our life to Christ is a true spiritual worship, and in being transformed by the power of God in us through faith in Jesus, we will know God’s good pleasing and perfect will, outlined in His Word.

What can we give to God that He does not already have? Still He calls us to give of ourselves for we were created by Him for His glory, and He invites us to Himself, His holy presence. It leads us to praise, as we reflect on the redemptive work He has done in our hearts. “Ransomed healed restored forgiven, Who like me His praise should sing”

Verse 2 Praise Him for His grace and favour To His people in distress Praise Him still the same as ever Slow to chide and swift to bless Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him for His faithfulness

We can praise Him for seeing us in our sin and weakness and instead of abandoning He shows grace out of His great love to those who fear Him and receive Him through faith in Jesus. Verse 2 really depicts Psalm 103:8-12

8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Verse 3 Father-like He tends and spares us Well our feeble frame He knows In His hands He gently bears us Rescues us from all our foes Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Widely as His mercy flows

Verse 3 shows our God knows us so deeply, more than we know of ourself. He can sympathize as Jesus took on humanity and experienced this broken and fallen world, even more so as he did not give in to the temptation or sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Through Jesus we can approach God Almighty with confidence, knowing God gives grace to those faithfully following Jesus. We can come to our Heavenly Father as His children. (Romans 8:14-17)

Verse 4 Angels help us to adore Him Ye behold Him face to face Sun and moon bow down before Him Dwellers all in time and space Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise Him Praise with us the God of grace

Verse 4 ends much like the Psalm itself...

"Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding,who obey his word. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, my soul." (v20-22)

It calls all creation to praise with us the Worthy one of it all, God, YHWH. I pray we be in awe of our amazing God and that it would lead to a response of resounding praise from the very depths of our souls

Have a listen to Emu Music’s rendition of the Hymn here

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