Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6
Words: Theophilus G. Steward, in the African Methodist Episcopal Hymn and Tune Book (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: African Methodist Episcopal Book Concern, 1898), number 641.
Music: Nazrey John T. Layton, Sr., 1898 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Layton (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
We’ll praise the Lord, for He is great,
And in His presence angels wait;
All Heav’n is swelling with His praise—
Shall we not, too, our anthems raise?
Refrain
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise His holy name.
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise Him,
Oh, we will praise His holy name.
We’ll praise the Lord, for He is wise;
His wisdom shines through all the skies;
The earth He measures with a span,
And crowns us with His image—man.
Refrain
We’ll praise the Lord, for He is just,
And in Him we may ever trust;
Princes and kings may turn aside,
But God by right will e’er abide.
Refrain
We’ll praise the Lord, for He is true;
His word the same all ages through—
Earth, sea and sky may pass away,
But firm, God’s truth will ever stay.
Refrain
Oh, praise Him, for His name is Love,
And from His glorious throne above,
He bends to welcome our weak praise,
Shall we not, then, our anthem raise?
Refrain