Praise the Savior, Now and Ever

This is eclectic, convergent, catholic worship at its best.  A 6th century text originally written for the Holy Week offices of the medieval church we discovered in the Presbyterian ‘Trinity’ hymnal paired with a familiar Southern Harmony tune “Holy Manna.”  We recorded this song very appropriately gathered around one mic.  From the CD ‘Mid All the Traffic‘.  A great Easter romp.

.

mp3 | leadsheet

.

Praise the Savior now and ever;

Praise him, all beneath the skies;

Prostrate lying suff’ring, dying

On the cross, a sacrifice.

Vict’ry gaining life obtaining

Now in glory he doth rise.

.

Man’s work faileth, Christ’s availeth;

He is all our righteousness;

He, our Savior, has forever

Set us free from dire distress.

Through his merit we inherit

Light and peace and happiness.

.

Sin’s bond severed, we’re delivered;

Christ has bruised the serpent’s head;

Death no longer is the stronger

Hell itself is captive led.

Christ has risen from death’s prison;

O’er the tomb he light has shed.

.

For his favor, praise forever

Unto God the Father sing;

Praise the Savior, praise him ever,

Son of God, our Lord and King.

Praise the Spirit; through Christ’s merit

He doth us salvation bring.

—
text: Venantius Fortunatus, 6th cent. {more info on Hymnary.org}
music: Holy Manna, alt.
arr. Bruce Benedict and Laura Bradham, 2006
Buy this song on Itunes