Entering a church with the intent to disrupt the sermon, his attitude quickly changed from being disrespectful to being reverent as the Holy Spirit opened the young man’s eyes and heart to the Gospel message. Convicted, the rebellious young man repented and gave his life to Jesus Christ.
Neander’s family line included faithful preachers of the Gospel! For four generations, the name “Joachim” had been bestowed upon the family’s baby boys. Joachim’s father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather were all named “Joachim.”
Neander studied theology in Bremen. For several
years afterward, Neander served as an assistant to the preacher who had led him
to the Lord. Next, he began tutoring other young men while holding a position
at a school in Dusseldorf.
A vibrant believer, he encouraged prayer and preaching at
the school. Not far from Dusseldorf, the Dussel River ran through a beautiful
gorge where Neander loved to walk. He went there so often that people
eventually began calling it “Neander Valley.”
Neander became a Calvinist educator who was influenced by pietist
theologians Philipp Spener and Johann Jakob Schütz. Johann was
also a hymn-writer. In 1674, Neander became the clergyman of the
Latin School at Düsseldorf, a Calvinist German Reformed institution.
The Pietists emphasized individual piety, and instituted
small groups for prayer, scripture study, personal accountability, and good
works. They believed that trust in Christ rather than correct theology
constituted the core of the faith. This de-emphasis on theology brought
the Pietists into conflict with the more traditional Lutherans. Neander
experienced considerable opposition there because of his pietism, and was
eventually dismissed from that position.
At the age of thirty, Neander was diagnosed with
tuberculosis. After only ten years of loving and serving his Savior, the young
pastor and teacher passed from this life to heaven. During his illness, he
wrote the hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”
Neander’s poetic gifts were put to use in his composition of over 60 hymns before his tragic death. Like many of his hymns, his most famous composition, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” was inspired by his love of the beautiful Neander Valley where he walked. The majesty he saw in creation evoked praise of its majestic Creator!
John Julian described this hymn in 1892 as "a magnificent song of praise to God, possibly the outstanding creation of its author, and of the first rank in its class," and that assessment certainly remains true today! Both its text and its tune have been celebrated for centuries, presented as a triumphant hymn of praise, perhaps most notably by Johann Sebastian Bach, whose 1725 cantata based on this hymn is among the Lutheran composer's most famous works.
The text's greatest strength is its reliance on Scripture,
especially the psalms. In particular, this hymn draws heavily from Psalms
146-150, which are known as the "Hallelujah Psalms." This closing
section of the Bible's hymn book features repeated exhortations to "Praise
the LORD!" followed by descriptions of who God is, what He has done, how
He blesses His people, and the limitlessness of His reign.
Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: God is possessed of all greatness and immensity, of dignity of nature, and of all perfections; of almighty power, of excellent glory, of superiority to all beings and of honor, and majesty, and all that grandeur, might, and honor in men, and victory over others; the majestic appearance they make, and exaltation above others they have, are all of God: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; they are both made by Him, and all that is in them, and therefore He has the sole right unto them: Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord; of nature and Providence; He has the sole dominion over all creatures, and the sovereign disposal of all things: and Thou art exalted as Head above all; men on earth, and angels in heaven.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in Him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan. Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to fear.
Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: Even that same Lord that is spoken of throughout this song, and to whom everything in it is ascribed, and who is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ; His reign began in eternity, when He was set up and anointed as King over God's holy hill of Zion, His church, the elect, who were a kingdom put under His care and charge, and which He will deliver up again one day, complete and perfect.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: The writer prayed for deliverance, appealing to his commitment to God’s law . . . the psalmist could have hope because He valued it. The righteous have many enemies who despise God’s revelation. The poet appealed for personal restoration because he loved the righteous law.
Biblehub.com, The Treasury of David: He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered. He meant them to remain in the recollection of His people, and they do so: partly because they are in themselves memorable, and because also He has taken care to record them by the pen of inspiration, and has written them upon the hearts of His people by His Holy Spirit . . . Deeds such as God has wrought are not to be admired for an hour and then forgotten, they are meant to be perpetual signs and instructive tokens to all coming generations; and especially are they designed to confirm the faith of His people in the divine love, and to make them know that "the Lord is gracious and full of compassion."
Wernerbiblecommentary.org, Hans Werner: Jesus Christ is Lord, in fact, the King of kings and Lord of lords and so in possession of far greater dignity and authority that any human ruler might have. Glory, majesty, or splendor are rightly His, and that is the case now and will be so forever, or throughout all the endless ages to come.
Studylight.org, Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: We must sing of God's mercies as long as we live, train up others to sing of them when we are gone, and hope to be singing them in heaven world without end; and this is singing of the mercies of the Lord forever. With my mouth, and with my pen (for by that also do we speak), will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations, assuring posterity, from my own observation and experience, that God is true to every word that He has spoken, that they may learn to put their trust in God . . . However it be, the everlasting covenant is firm and sure.
Biblical worship is both vertical (between God & man) and horizontal (we sing to one another), and this hymn is rich in each. The opening lines of each stanza contain declarations of praise, often addressing one's own soul, much as David did in Psalm 103:1-2. The Lord is worthy of praise because He is our Sovereign Creator and Sustainer, our Provider and our Defender!
No matter what God allows in our lives, whether pleasant or unpleasant, we can trust and praise Him. As we trust God and His goodness in all things, we will develop reverence for Him. We can joyfully worship God, who is worthy of all our praise!
