A small committee of Presbyterian singers met in Pittsburgh to finish their work of nearly twenty years, compiling a book of metrical versions of the Psalms with music. It was published and became “The Psalter 1912.” It’s been used ever since and has influenced many other hymnbooks and Psalters.
The words of “O My Soul, Jehovah Praise” are a version of Psalm 146 that came from “The Psalter 1912.” The text follows the ten verses of the Psalm. The final stanza repeats the opening lines of the hymn and closes with verse ten of the Psalm. The tune “Ripley” is based on a Gregorian Chant and arranged in the style of a gospel song written by Lowell Mason in 1839. Mason’s strong, stirring tune is easy to sing and is especially effective when sung in parts.
Lowell Mason (1792-1872) was one of America’s most influential American church musicians and music educators of his day. He was often called “the father of American church music.” Mason showed musical talent in music at an early age. By age sixteen, he was directing the choir in his local church and was director of the band in his hometown at age eighteen. His main contribution to hymnody was composing music for texts, many of which are sung today: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” “Joy to the World,” and “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” to name just a few.
This setting of Psalm 146 gives believers an excellent opportunity to follow Paul’s admonition to sing Psalms (Colossians 3:16). The Psalm begins and ends with “Praise Ye the Lord,” encouraging believers to praise the Lord because He can be trusted completely as the powerful yet compassionate Creator. He provides for the needy, delivers the oppressed, and loves the righteous. “Hallelujah, praise Jehovah.” While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being (Psalm 146:2).
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Put no confidence in princes,
Nor for help on man depend;
He shall die, to dust returning,
And his purposes shall end.
Israel's God to be his aid;
He is blest whose hope of blessing
On the Lord his God is stayed.
Heav'n and earth the Lord created,
Seas and all that they contain;
He delivers from oppression,
Righteousness he will maintain.
Sets the mourning pris’ner free,
Raises those bowed down with anguish,
Makes the sightless eyes to see.
Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
And the stranger he befriends,
Helps the fatherless and widow,
Judgment on the wicked sends.
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever,
Through all ages he is King;
Unto him, thy God, O Zion,
Joyful hallelujahs sing.
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