Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (Hymn)

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise is a classic Epiphany hymn that celebrates the manifestation of Jesus Christ through His birth, baptism, and miracles. Emphasizing Christ as God in man made manifest, the song calls believers to worship Him with gratitude, recognizing His divine authority and redemptive mission.

VERSE 1
Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to You we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David’s stem,
In Your birth at Bethlehem;

CHORUS
Anthems be to thee addrest,
God in man made manifest.

VERSE 2
Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana, wedding guest,
In Your Godhead manifest,
You revealed Your power divine,
Changing water into wine;

VERSE 3
Manifest in making whole
Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight,
Quelling all the devil’s might;
Manifest in gracious will,
Ever bringing good from ill;

Story Behind the Song

Christopher Wordsworth, nephew of poet William Wordsworth, penned Songs of Thankfulness and Praise in 1862. Serving as an Anglican bishop, he aimed to encapsulate the manifestations of Christ celebrated during Epiphany.

The hymn reflects on events like Christ’s birth, baptism, and miracles, portraying them as revelations of His divine nature. Wordsworth described it as a “recapitulation of the successive manifestations of Christ” observed throughout the Epiphany season. [1]

The hymn is commonly set to the tune “Salzburg,” composed by Jakob Hintze in the 17th century. This melody, older than the text, complements the hymn’s reflective nature. [2]

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise continues to be sung during Epiphany, inviting worshippers to reflect on the ways Christ has revealed Himself to the world.