A Dictionary of Hymnology/Praise to God, immortal praise
Praise to God, immortal praise. Anna Laetitia Barbauld, née Aikin. [Harvest.] This, the most popular and widely used both in Great Britain and America of Mrs. Barbauld's Hymns, first appeared in Dr. W. Enfield's Hys. for Public Worship, &c., Warrington, 1772, No. 35, in 9 st. of 4 l., and entitled, "Praise to God in Prosperity and Adversity." In the following year it was repeated in Mrs. Barbauld's (then Miss Aikin) Poems, Lond., J. Johnson, 1773, p. 115, without title, but with Habakkuk iii. 17, 18, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom," &c., quoted as a note. It is not found in in many collections until 1812, when it was included by Dr. Collyer in his Coll., No, 689. From that date it gradually increased in use, sometimes in its complete form, but more frequently with abbreviations, extending to the omission of various stanzas, until in one or two cases it has been reduced to twelve lines only. The various centos, all beginning with, the same first line, are too numerous to analyse, save the more important and such as have additions made thereto by others. These are:—
1. In S. P. C. K. Hymns, 1852, No. 172. this cento is in 4 st. of 6 l., the first three of which are compiled, with alterations, from the original text, and the last "Peace, prosperity and health," from another source.
2. In Morrell and How's Ps. & Hys., 1875: the same three stanzas as above, and a new fourth stanza by Bishop How of 8 l. This text is repeated in Church Hymns, 1871, No. 280, with the last stanza by Bishop How reduced to 6 lines.
3. In the New Mitre Hymnal, 1875, from the original Mitre H. Bk., of 1836, with a doxology.
4. In Thring's Coll., 1882, No. 408, the cento is composed of 4 st. of 6 l. of which stanzas i., ii. are from the S. P. C. K. as above, and st. iv. a doxology.
Other centos may be traced out by consulting the original text in Lyra Brit., 1867, p. 33, or Lord Selborne's Book of Praise, 1862 and 1867, pp. 289–290. In addition to these centos, beginning with the original first line, there are also the following in C. U.:—
5. Praise to God, unceasing praise. This, in Francis Pott's Hymns, &c., 1861., is the S. P. C. K. Hymns text as above, with an alteration of the opening line.
6. Praise to God, exceeding praise. This, in T. Darling's Hys., &c., 1887, is from the original with alterations by Mr. Darling.
7. Lord, should rising whirlwinds tear. This, in the Presb. Ps. and Hys. for the Worship of God, Richmond, U.S.A., 1867, No. 431, is composed of st. iii.–vi. slightly altered.