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281

God of The Ages, Whose Almighty Hand

Full Text

1 God of the ages, whose almighty hand
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the skies:
our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

2 Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
in this free land by thee our lot is cast;
be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay;
thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

3 From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
be thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
may true religion in our hearts increase,
thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

4 Refresh thy people on their toilsome way;
lead us from night to never ending day;
fill all our lives with love and grace divine;
all glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

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Scripture References

Thematically related:

Further Reflections on Scripture References

Unlike many other nationalist hymns, this text keeps our focus on God. This is a Go who created the universe, who leads and governs his people, who serves as our protec­tor, and who refreshes his people with divine love. Presumably the text referred originally to white Anglo-Saxons, but in its present form it is fitting for all citizens and residents of any country. Christians too may sing this anthem, using it to recognize the national association we have on earth but remembering that the practice of "true religion" (st. 3) transcends earthly loyalties and promotes citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Psalter Hymnal Handbook

281

God of The Ages, Whose Almighty Hand

Tune Information

Name
NATIONAL HYMN
Key
E♭ Major
Meter
10.10.10.10

Recordings

281

God of The Ages, Whose Almighty Hand

Hymn Story/Background

Daniel C. Roberts wrote this patriotic hymn in 1876 for July 4 centennial celebrations in Brandon, Vermont, where he was rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Originally entitled "God of Our Fathers," this text was later chosen as the theme hymn for the centennial celebration of the adoption of the United States Constitution. It was published in the Protestant Episcopal Hymnal of 1892.
 
Unlike many other nationalist hymns, this text keeps our focus on God. This is a God who created the universe, who leads and governs his people, who serves as our protec­tor, and who refreshes his people with divine love. Presumably the text referred originally to white Anglo-Saxons, but in its present form it is fitting for all citizens and residents of any country. Christians too may sing this anthem, using it to recognize the national association we have on earth but remembering that the practice of "true religion" (st. 3) transcends earthly loyalties and promotes citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.
 
Roberts's text was initially sung to Alexy Lvov's RUSSIAN HYMN, but in 1892, right after the text was accepted for the Episcopal hymnal, George W. Warren composed NATIONAL HYMN for Roberts's text. The new tune was published with Roberts's text in the Hymnal Revised and Enlarged (1894), compiled by J. Ireland Tucker and W. W. Rousseau.
 
Though the great hymnologist Erik Routley dismissed NATIONAL HYMN as "a pretentious piece of bombast," many people enjoy singing it with the gusto appropri­ate to civic events. The tune includes martial trumpet fanfares, which may give too much of a triumphalistic effect in church. Use more humble musical forces, especially on the inner stanzas.
— Bert Polman

Author Information

Educated at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, Daniel C. Roberts (b. Bridgehampton, Long Island, NY, 1841; d. Concord, NH, 1907) served in the union army during the Civil War. He was ordained in the Episcopal Church as a priest in 1866 and ministered to several congregations in Vermont and Massachusetts. In 1878 he began a ministry at St. Paul Church in Concord, New Hampshire, that lasted for twenty-three years. Serving for many years president of the New Hampshire State Historical Society, Roberts once wrote, "I remain a country parson, known only within my small world," but his hymn "God of Our Fathers" brought him widespread recognition.
— Bert Polman

Composer Information

George W. Warren (b. Albany, NY, 1828; d. New York, 1902)  received his general education at Racine College in Wisconsin, but as a musician he was largely self-trained. An organist in a number of Episcopal churches, he played the organ for thirty years (1870-1900) at St. Thomas Church in New York City. Warren composed anthems and liturgical service music; his hymn tunes were collected in Warren's Hymns and Tunes as Sung in St. Thomas Church (1888).
— Bert Polman
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