The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Now Thank We All Our God
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heavenโ
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav'n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
The lyrics of "Now Thank We All Our God" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir express gratitude towards God for all the wonders He has done in this world. The opening line shows the expression of gratitude from the bottom of the heart, with hands raised towards the source of all goodness. The following lines highlight the infinite blessings received from God since birth, and the expectation to continue receiving them throughout this life. The song then prays for the world to always remain in God's grace and guide us when perplexed, strengthening the hearts with the peace and joy that only God can offer.
The last stanza of the lyrics glorifies the eternal unity of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who reigns in the highest Heaven, where Earth and Heaven together glorify His name forevermore. This final part shows that this prayer is not just for the individuals who sing it but also for the entire universe. The song teaches us to be grateful for what we have over a long period, with blessings originating from the time of birth, together with the assurance that Godโs provisions and blessings would continue.
Line by Line Meaning
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Let us give thanks and show gratitude to God with all our heart, physical gestures, and spoken words.
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
God who does amazing deeds and through whom the world finds joy.
Who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way
The God who has blessed us ever since we were born and watched over us as we progress through life.
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
God has showered us with numerous gifts of love and still continues to bless us to this day.
Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
May this generous God always be with us throughout our lifetime.
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
May God bless us with eternal happiness and peace.
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
May God support us with his grace and guidance when we face confusion or uncertainty in our journey through life.
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!
May God protect us and keep us safe from all possible harms, not only in this world but also in the next.
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
Let us give all our praises and express our gratitude to God the Father, the creator of the universe.
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heavenโ
Let us also offer our thanks to the Son of God, who lives and reigns with God in the highest realm of heaven.
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav'n adore;
Praising the one true eternal God, who both earth and heaven revere.
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
For God's majesty, power, and love have always existed and will continue to exist forevermore.
Contributed by Wyatt S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lornesuecampbell4626
What a hymn! And what a history ... pastor rinkhard who wrote it certainly went through difficult times yet was able to thank God for all of lifeโs blessings. Amen
@cherylnelson3637
right! I too said the same thing!!! What a Thanksgiving adoration arising out of" dark" times!!
@eternalhalloween1
As a liturgist, I can safely say that anywhere I have played this hymn, people love it.
@chibuikeanyadike8288
Oh how can i listen to this great hymn without an outburst in tears in deep tears of joy, especially after carefully listening to the powerful words of the first stanza
@TonyEsq1
The best choir in the world...SERIOUSLY!!!
@georgefelty6357
This is so moving and appropriate for Thanksgiving.
@antoniotermulo9214
We simply should be thanking God everyday. 24/7.
@lorrainewells2277
For sure
@fabiopaolobarbieri2286
A song for when victory has come against all hope, freedom after a nightmare, justice after terror. Now thank we all our God!
@joannethibault6016
One of my dad's favorites to play on the organ He's passed now but I can hear him play in my imagination. RIP dad