Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,and bless the LORD. Psalms 134:1-2
Hymn History
Author: Johann Mentzer, 1704
This song was first written in German and later translated to English by Henry Mills.
Johann Mentzer was born July 27, 1658 near Rothenburg in Silesia. He became a student of theology at Wittenberg in 1691. He was pastor in a small village in Kemnitz, near the Polish and Czech borders. It was there he became a friend and mentor to Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a hymn writer.
Most of Mentzer’s members were poor serfs whose hard work mostly benefited wealthy masters. Mentzer’s heart went out to his people, and he often counseled them to praise the Lord whatever the circumstances.
One evening Mentzer was returning from a Bible study in a nearby village. The sky was dark, but as he approached his church, he grew alarmed at the red glow in the sky. He quickly found his home, the church parsonage, ablaze.
As he later inspected the ashes, he became downhearted and discouraged. A moment later, a serf tapped him on the shoulder asking, “So, Pastor, are you still in the mood for praise and thanksgiving?” Mentzer prayed a silent prayer of grace and his entire attitude changed.
The next day, he composed this hymn: “O that I had a thousand voices / and with a thousand tongues could tell / of Him in whom the earth rejoices / who does all things wisely and well ”
He went onto write a large number of hymns. Many of them appeared in hymnbooks during his time. His hymns were full of his zealous love for Christ.
Years later, Mentzer’s hymn inspired Charles Wesley to pen “O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing.”
Mentzer truly was tried by fire and affliction, yet he learned to praise God in the midst of the distress. If you are facing hardships right now, try praise and thanksgiving. It might help change your perspective.
You can listen to the hymn here:
Resources:
1.https://hymnary.org/text/o_that_i_had_a_thousand_voices_to_praise
2.Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul, Book 2: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories. W Publishing Group. 2004.
