Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

Praise the Everlasting King.

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven is a much loved hymn of the Church of England. In 1947 it was sung at the wedding of the future Queen Elizabeth II. The words written by Henry F. Lyte and first published in Spirit of the Psalms (1834) are based on Psalm 102. It is sung to the tune: Lauda Anima by John Goss, first published in Supplemental Hymn and Tune Book (1869). In the Liturgy of the Hours (1974), Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer. In the Divine Office (1974) it is used as an alternate hymn for Evening Prayer II (Week 2).


PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN by Henry F. Lyte, 1834 ( Public Domain)

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:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

2. Praise Him for His grace and favour
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

3. Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

4. Frail as summer's flower we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish
Our God lives unchanging on,
Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise the High Eternal One!

5. 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.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.