Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

Authors:
Themes:
Scriptures:
  • Psalms 116:1-2
  • Psalms 118:8-12
  • Psalms 40:1-3
  • Psalms 48:1-2
  • Psalms 52:8
  • Psalms 66:16
  • 1 Corinthians 15:57
  • 1 John 5:4-5
Book Number:
  • 179

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, the holy place,
the joy of the whole earth.
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory.
He aids us against the enemy,
we bow down on our knees.

And Lord, we want to lift your name on high,
and Lord, we want to thank you
for the works you’ve done in our lives;
and Lord, we trust in your unfailing love,
for you alone are God eternal,
throughout earth and heaven above.

© 1985 Body Songs / Adm, by Song Solutions CopyCare
Steve McEwan

Approaching God - Adoration and Thanksgiving

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Tune

The story behind the hymn

This item is the first in a further sequence of 4 shorter songs, and takes its opening words from the beginning of Psalm 48 in the NIV. The end is similar to the Psalm’s conclusion, and its theme of victory (see 48 and note) is here made personal and contemporary: ‘… for the works you’ve done in our lives’—the author Steve McEwan’s own tune accenting the ‘our’. For want of another name the music bears the title GREAT IS THE LORD AND MOST WORTHY OF PRAISE. At least 7 other published texts begin with the same 4 words; as with 170, care is needed when referring to this item. It has a similar history, appearing in 1985, becoming known at Spring Harvest and entering MP and other collections by 1990.

A look at the author

McEwan, Steve

b. South Africa; a songwriter in the radical/renewal tradition whose work was introduced at ‘Spring Harvest’ gatherings and has appeared in MP and similar books. His best-known song, as featured in Praise!, was prompted by the violent death of a friend in 1985. No.179.