PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY: Kevin Eubanks "Adoration"

I love hymns. LOVE them. I love the power of the words. I love the obvious devotion that the writers seem to have for God. I love their wonderful wordiness that many say is death to a song. To me, every verse gets better. I've always felt that the verses we traditionally sing aren't always the most engaging ones. The lyrics emanate from a place in the writer's heart that reaches out to the reader, listener and singer. They aren't vague. They are bold in their acknowledgment of God. Even when the words aren't sung, and a musician is playing the melody, the words well up in your mind and make you want to sing.

This morning I woke up to the sound of a guitar. It was the music of long-time "Tonight Show" band leader Kevin Eubanks. The music was so soothing and beautiful. Then I realized why it touched me so. It was a hymn. He played so simply, yet skillfully and passionately. I hoped that it wasn't just an impromptu performance. I wanted to hear it again and again. I searched and found the lovely song that he so brilliantly titled "Adoration". I also searched for the lyrics of the familiar hymn that wove itself throughout the sounds that blessed me as I began my day.

PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY
Joachim Neander

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Kevin Eubanks "Adoration" can be purchased and downloaded at itunes...http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/adoration/id367214769

Listen to "Praise to the Lord, The Almighty" at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/pttlta.htm